But now brave Jackie Bampton is hoping to travel 3,500 miles to Afghanistan to give the troops a taste of home.

The 61-year-old, who works at Asda in Bedhampton, will be taking out a selection of comforts like toothpaste, shampoo, Marmite and brown sauce.

Armed with several dozen trolley-loads of Asda groceries, she is planning to fly over with the Ministry of Defence.

Jackie, of Mitchell Road, Bedhampton, said: 'I just want to go over there and give them a hug and say "Yes, we do care".'

Jackie got the idea after helping collect goodies in the supermarket for two mothers with children serving in the Royal Navy.

Neighbours Sallie Morley and Jackie Duthie, of Waterlooville, are collecting donations of toiletries, tinned food and towels for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jackie offered to set up a trolley in the supermarket where shoppers could donate groceries.

Then one day it dawned on her that instead of merely posting the goodies, she could personally deliver them.

Jackie, a mum-of-two, grandmother-of-three and who will become a great-grandmother in December, said: 'It's something I have got in me and I want to help.

'I am from a services family and my father was in navy for more than 30 years, so I know what it is liked to be parted from loved ones who are at war.

'I have never been to anywhere like Afghanistan. I know it will be hot, dusty and dirty.

'But I will only be there a little while and these boys are out there all the time.'

Her bosses at Asda have offered to pay for the trip and Jackie is negotiating with the Ministry of Defence to arrange the flight.

She will probably just go to the airport in the capital Kabul before returning home.

As she is going in December, she is hoping the groceries will have a distinctly Christmas theme.

'I am hoping to take over lots of Christmas trees, crackers and mince pies,' she said. 'Hey, if I can be Mummy Christmas just for one day, then I think it's a small price to pay.'