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01
Sept 2021
Harrogate army sergeant's desperate bid to help Afghan family leave Kabul
A former British army sergeant major from Harrogate has spoken of his fears for the future of an Afghan family he has been trying to help leave Kabul.
Rob Smith taught locals boxing during a six-month tour of duty at Camp Souter military base in Kabul in 2010. Mr Smith is now head coach at H Hour Amateur Boxing Gym on Harrogate's Skipton Road.
One Afghan man he coached called Omar died in a car accident last year, leaving a young wife and daughter, two sisters and parents.
Mr Smith says the family are at risk from the Taliban and he has been trying to get then out of Kabul. He said:
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Mr Smith has written letters of recommendation to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patel, former veterans minister Johnny Mercer and his successor Leo Docherty, and Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.
He said only Mr Mercer and Mr Jones had replied expressing interest to help.
But with the paperwork incomplete before the British and American departure from Kabul, the situation is now desperate.
Mr Smith said:
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