The Perfect Strangers

Pensioners Maurice Benton and Joanne Goody-Orris (better known as Mo and Jo) have a story to tell.

For 10 years, they sent thousands of parcels to soldiers. These contained small but essential gifts and personal letters written by Jo.

In return, the couple received thousands of letters back, thanking them for their support and sometimes detailing what life in Afghanistan was like.

One letter dubbed them 'the perfect strangers'.

Alan Dein spends a day with Mo and Jo, and talks to them about what has driven them to make this extraordinary gesture to the soldiers overseas.

We hear the letters they wrote, and introduce them to some of the soldiers who received their letters.

Producer: Rebecca Howes

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2016.