Don't stop us sending parcels to our boys; DEAD SOLDIER'S MUM 'DISGUSTED' AFTER MoD SAYS: NO MORE WAR ZONE PACKAGES.

Byline: DAVID POWELL

THE mother of a soldier who died in Iraq has slammed a government decision to discourage families sending parcels to troops in war zones.

Theresea Evans set up a shoebox appeal called Operation Welly after she lost her son Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, aged 24, in a helicopter crash.

Volunteers for the charity have sent 600 "Welly boxes" of toiletries and treats to Afghanistan and Iraq so far this year.

But now the Ministry of Defence wants people to donate cash to a new charity that will buy sports and other leisure equipment for troops instead.

The MoD says military postal services can be "swamped by the public's generosity".

It said the number of parcels sent under the Enduring Families Free Mail Service (EFFMS) can delay important mail and put delivery personnel at extra unjustifiable risk.

But Mrs Evans, of Llandudno, who lost her son on the first day of the Iraq war in March 2003, said: "It's disgusting. I'm not the only individual campaigner sending boxes.

"Everytime I send a box I feel like I'm sending it to my Llywelyn."

She has dozens of letters from soldiers thanking her for their "box of morale".

The campaigner and friends have stacked dozens of donated items almost to the ceiling of her living room in Conway Road.

They will be sent in 200 festive shoeboxes, containing treats like Christmas crackers and peanuts, to troops.

Parcels weighing under 2 kgs can be sent free of charge under the EFFMS.

But the MoD defended the decision to discourage parcels, preferring cash donations to its new Operational Welfare Fund.

The OWF was set up to equip remote Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan with "morale-boosting" high-tech equipment.

They include: solar-powered chargers, boxing training pads and skipping ropes, solar or wind-up radios, portable DVD players and DVDs, games consoles and LED lanterns.

An MoD spokesman said: "People often don't realise the unintended consequences of their actions.

"The EFFMS, which enables families and close friends of service personnel to send packages out to theatre, can be swamped by the public's generosity. All important personal mail can be delayed."

He said providing extra flights and convoys to deliver goodwill parcels puts personnel at "additional and unjustifiable risk" in danger zones.

He added: "It is for these reasons the MoD has asked the forces charity SSAFA Forces Help to administer a new charity which generous members of the public can donate to as an alternative to sending parcels.

"The Operational Welfare Fund is focussed on providing support direct to the front line and enables commanders on the ground to bid for those items which they deem will have the most significant impact in enhancing the morale of their personnel."

Mrs Evans is appealing for donations of small Christmas cakes, puddings and biscuits to be left at Tye Llywelyn centre in Ffordd yr Orsedd or Tye Hapus centre in Ffordd Penrhyn, both Llandudno An awareness day for Operation Welly activities will be held at the Victoria Centre, Mostyn Street, Llandudno on Tuesday November 24 from 11am. A coffee morning in aid of Operation Welly will be held at Gloddaeth United not Reformed Church, Chapel Street, Llandudno on Saturday November 28, 10am-noon.

. To donate to the MoD's Operational Welfare Fund go to bmycharity.

com/V2/welfarefund or call 0207 463 922. Alternatively, cheques payable to the SSAFA Operational Welfare Fund can be sent to SSAFA Forces Help, FREEPOST, NAT 19507, London, SE1 2BR [e-mail]

CAPTION(S):

Angry: Theresea Evans Llywelyn Evans, 24, died in a helicopter crash on the first day of the Iraq war