Highland charity hopes to make it a Merry Christmas
Scottish charity Blythswood Care has just launched its 21 Shoe Box Appeal.
Twenty years ago, the appeal raised 300 gift-filled boxes which were distributed in Romania, from where scenes of shocking poverty had touched many people in the UK.
Since then, the appeal has produced an amazing 1.6 million boxes.
Last year Blythswood sent a total of 118,000 boxes to eight East European countries – Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine – and to Pakistan.
The concept is simple: an open, empty shoebox is gift-wrapped then filled with toiletries, stationery, sweets and small items of clothing. Boxes are gathered and processed by Blythswood in an operation that involves thousands of volunteers across the UK.
Before dispatch, each box is check to make sure it complies with customs regulations.
In Europe, boxes are distributed in orphanages, hospitals, schools and gypsy villages and at special events.
In Pakistan they are given to families in situations where an adult may earn as little as £1 for a day’s work.
“Filling a shoebox is a great way of showing kindness to a stranger in need,” says Blythswood’s chief executive James Campbell. “It’s both practical and personal at the same time.”
For more information and details of your nearest collection point go to www.shoeboxappeal.org or call 0845 456 9460.
To ensure delivery of your box before Christmas, Blythswood requests that boxes be at collection points by Friday 8 November.
