Visit from Santa is just magic for troops' children at party

Published on Monday 21 December 2009 09:51

A VISIT from Santa Claus, party games and a magician have helped to bring some festive cheer to children whose fathers are fighting in Afghanistan.

Around 60 children and their mothers attended a party at Dreghorn Barracks yesterday.

They were each given a present that had been donated as part of the Evening News' Treat Our Troops – and their kids campaign.

They also got an opportunity to record a special Christmas message for the soldiers from 3 Rifles, which will be put on a DVD and sent to them, as well as featuring on the News website.

Children were entertained by Cadets from Leven in Fife and also got a visit from Baxterbear, the mascot to the servicemen and women around the world.

Parents said the day helped lift spirits, coming less than a week after Lance Corporal David Kirkness, 24, and Rifleman James Brown, 18, both of the 3 Rifles Reconnaissance Platoon, were killed tackling Taleban bombers.

Colour Sergeant Ted Coxon, senior welfare officer for 3 Rifles, said the Evening News campaign has helped families deal with a difficult time to be away from loved ones.

"The campaign has gone down really well with the wives," he said. "Two hampers came in from the St James (Centre] for the lads out in Afghanistan filled with things they had wanted. And we've been given loads of cuddly toys and things like that for the kids."

Claire Matthews, 25, whose husband Ian is in Afghanistan, attended the party with daughter Summer, who is one next month.

She said: "People have shown how much they care at a tough time like this."

Laney Vanderleest, 31, said the party was great for her three children, Amy, five months, Katie, 17 months, and Kevin, seven.

But she admitted that the recent bad news made it difficult for Kevin in particular to be without dad Mark, 30. "Kevin's at an age where he knows what happens and he understands," she said.

"I try not to even let him watch the news because it can be too upsetting."

Kerry Baker, 29, admitted that Christmas will be difficult for her partner, Steven Cooper, 28, as it is the first for their son Alfie, 11 months.

"He does find it hard to be missing his son's first Christmas," said Ms Baker, who also has a three-year-old daughter, Madison. "I spoke to him today and he said to make sure I take lots of photos and send them to him."

The children's party was one of two events held at the weekend as part of the campaign.

On Saturday night, around 100 wives and partners of members of the 1 Scots regiment attended a party at Dreghorn Barracks. Captain Peter Borthwick, welfare officer, said: "It was a really good night and it went very well."