A SERGEANT from Bolton is organising a Christmas appeal for the remaining troops in Afghanistan to ensure they are not forgotten.

Sgt Deborah Walsh, from The Rifles infantry regiment, is on her second tour of the war-torn Asian country.

With her Breightmet family’s help, Sgt Walsh, known as Debbie, is appealing for the generous Bolton public to donate gifts so every soldier still stationed in Helmand Province has something to open on Christmas Day.

After leaving a month ago, Sgt Walsh is due to return to the UK in March and was concerned that some of the younger service personnel stationed in Afghanistan may miss home comforts over the festive season.

Her sister Suzie, aged 21, said: “Because Debbie has been there before she knows what it’s like at Christmas.

“Obviously they are without families and friends and some do not even have any relatives sending them presents. It would be nice for them all to have a present to open while eating their Christmas dinner.”

Donations of individual gifts should be dropped off at Maggi Maggi UK in Folds Road, and they will be boxed and sent to Afghanistan in bulk from there.

All gifts should be dropped off by the end of October.

Sgt Walsh, has six siblings — Lynsey, Kevan, Shaun, Karen, Ainsleigh and Suzie — and of those two others have served in the army. Sgt Walsh’s mum Susan Ryan, who lives in Steven Street, Breightmet, had once hoped of joining the army herself before she started a family.

Mrs Ryan, aged 51, said: “Debbie doesnt tell us a lot about what she is doing as she doesn’t want us to worry.

“I was so proud of them all when they wanted to join the army — I personally think all kids should join up when they are 16.”