Last week something of a mini crisis unfolded in the army kitchens of Afghanistan.

The army chef, whose job it is to dutifully feed and water a Scottish regiment out in Kabul, went to his cupboards and found them totally devoid of haggis.

With the countdown on to St Andrews Day, in chef terms this was a devastating blow for his 1SCOTS regiment.

After all, an army marches on its stomach - and Scots army stomachs expect a fair amount of tatties, turnips and haggis to be in there.

There was only one woman to call.

"I got a message through from their sergeant major," says Charlotte Park.

"They just couldn't get any over there through their supplier."

Charlotte, 43, from Midlothian, has become a sort of Santa Claus to Scots soldiers out on the front line.

After setting up a group called Treats for Troops on Tour last year, the mother-of-two regularly rallies community support to send much missed sweeties and gifts to soldiers away on deployment.

Despite being under a year old, her appeal page already has nearly 1500 followers across Scotland who donate everything from Santa hats to Valentine cards to soldiers missing home.

This time, an emergency request for tins of haggis had come through - and Charlotte's group of supporters were determined to answer it.

"Will get some Fri wen doing my shopping," wrote one lady.

"I have seen them in the wee corner shop in the shopping centre," wrote another.

Many are wives, sisters or mothers of soldiers - others are simply people who want to lend a hand.

"I hit the computer and emailed some haggis companies too," says Charlotte.

"One got back with enough haggis to feed 120 soldiers, so they'll probably be eating enough for the whole time they're there."

Charlotte's gift project began after her own husband, Derek, was deployed with the Royal Regiment of Scotland out to Afghanistan.

"We first met when we were at school together," says Charlotte.

"We were childhood sweethearts."

Charlotte made sure to send her husband his favourite Wine Gums while he was away, but she soon came to realise that not everyone out there received the same treats.

"A few lads and lassies weren't receiving anything for Christmas," she says. "I wanted to do something."

Realising that the soldiers, like her husband, missed a lot of the treats they could only get back in Scotland, Charlotte began filling shoeboxes with gifts to send out to them.

"Word spread and more and more people offered to donate items for the boxes," says Charlotte.

"I contacted various companies too, especially around Valentines Day and had sweetie love hearts donated and cards too."

Charlotte was keen that soldiers who may not have a sweetheart back home would also get a special Valentines too.

At Christmas, the project was at its largest though, as donations flooded in from Irn Bru cans to shaving kits.

"My dining room looked like a shoe shop, I had so many boxes," says Charlotte.

"My friends and other military wives helped me pack them to send off and Penicuik post office were really understanding when I brought them all round."

Charlotte's two sons support her project too, 18-year-old Ally - also in the armed forces - and ten-year-old Aaron, who helps to pack the boxes.

"Aaron loves it," says Charlotte. "In fact, we have a lot of children who help, they draw pictures on the boxes before we send them and decorate them."

The project has grown so much, Charlotte has recently taken on two more volunteers to help her, especially given the project is run entirely in her spare time.

"Two of the ladies, Donna Odonnel and Jean Mquire from Drumchapel, rallied in 316 boxes," says an incredulous Charlotte. "We only take donations though no cash. I don't think I'm quite comfortable yet to handle money or anything."

Instead, Charlotte and her supporters are battening down for a big Christmas drive, getting together show boxes to send out to Scottish soldiers away from home this festive season.

"We have until mid-November to get them sent off so they arrive in time," says Charlotte.

"It's hard work but we love doing it."

From the letters the volunteers receive from the soldiers in return, it would seem their efforts are appreciated too.

"Thank you for all your effort and hard work," wrote 2SCOTS soldier Brodie, out in Kabul.

"It most definitely lifted moral...specially for myself on a day when I missed my partner and kids a lot.

2SCOTS soldier Wallace added: "Your gifts put a smile on all our faces and that meant a lot to us."