Plans shaping up for Perth festive shoebox appeal

Sep 30 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

ONE of the UK’s most inspirational children’s charities is launching its 2008 campaign in Perth and Kinross this week.

Operation Christmas Child collects gift-filled shoeboxes to distribute to needy children in Eastern Europe and Africa at Christmas.

Last year, they delivered 1.3 million shoeboxes from the UK.

Regional manager Chris Thomson said yesterday: “Many schools, community organisations, churches, businesses and individuals throughout Perth and Kinross took part last year and donated shoeboxes full of presents.

“It meant so much to the children who received them – they were thrilled. Our aim is to keep this terrific effort going in 2008.”

Groups and individuals in Pitlochry, Crieff, Auchterarder, as well as Perth and Kinross, took part.

The gift-filled boxes were checked at the charity’s warehouse in Glasgow before being transported to Belarus, Kosova, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine.

Any school, church, company, organisation or individual that wants to take part can contact Operation Christmas Child via their website or Helpline and they will receive a simple set of instructions.

The guidelines suggest what to put in a shoebox, how to pack it and where to send it for collection and onward transportation.

All they ask for is a £2.50 contribution towards promotion, transport, processing and distribution - and that the shoeboxes be ready by November 18 at the latest.

Visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk or contact the Helpline on 0870 011 2002.

Operation Christmas Child is one of the main annual projects run by Samaritan’s Purse, the evangelical Christian humanitarian aid charity.