Who We Are

Troops receiving their boxes in Afghanistan, Christmas 2009

uk4u Thanks! is a registered charity which provides Christmas boxes full of presents (affectionately known as the 'square stocking') as a gift from the nation to all those serving in the forces overseas away from their families on Christmas Day.

In 2009, thanks entirely to generous donations from members of the public and our sponsors, uk4u was able to send 23,000 Christmas gift boxes to UK Armed Forces personnel on duty overseas or in hospital over the Christmas period because they have been injured on operations.

The charity does not receive any public funds, but the Ministry of Defence (MOD) supports the charity with advice and guidance on the number of boxes required and the contents. It also assists with the massive logistic operation it takes to deliver the boxes in time for Christmas Day.

We ensure that all Servicemen and women who are serving away at Christmas receive a box, whether they are in the Army, Royal Navy or the Royal Air Force, and wherever they are in the world.

The initiative was inspired by the 1914 Christmas Gift Fund, established by Princess Mary, the daughter of King George V. You can find out more about the first Christmas box here. The Duke of Westminster is Patron of our charity.

The MOD help us by sending the boxes in any transport going out to operational theatres which has spare capacity. It is important that the boxes are not sent through the British Forces Post Office system, so there is no chance that they will 'clog up' the supply chain and delay parcels from families and friends getting to their loved ones.

uk4u needs more sponsors!

Sponsors will enable this very welcome gift to continue to be delivered to our Servicemen and women year after year. The charity welcomes your support so please make a donation.

Please note that unfortunately the charity is unable to send boxes on behalf of other people.