Christmas shoebox appeal for Middleton's elderly

Middleton residents are being asked to help bring a little happiness to local elderly people this Christmas with a shoebox appeal.

Last year local resident Georgina Jacques and her dad delivered over 150 boxes to the community’s elderly on Christmas Eve - and Georgina wants your help to reach even more people this year.

She said: “We all know it’s going to be a tough year and our elderly folk are usually the ones who suffer most from rising costs of everything and often do without essential items or heating.

“Lockdown taught me how many older people in our community have no-one they see or talk too, so when they get a little box with a few goodies in on Christmas Eve that could be the only contact they have over Christmas, it breaks my absolute heart.”

 

 

Essential items for the elderly

• Gloves/scarf or hat (new or knitted)
• Sweets/chocolates (BB June 2023 EU origin)
• Soap & flannel (new)
• Toothbrush/toothpaste (new)
• Reading glasses/small magnifier
• Wind-up torch/radio
• Pens and writing pads
• Candles and holders
• Sensory items – lavender bag etc.
• Small games – travel sized draughts, dominoes, playing cards etc.

 

 

You can help Georgina in a range of ways:

• Fill a shoebox with goodies from the above list (you can either wrap the box, or her dad will)
• Collecting empty shoe boxes for her to collect
• Buying items in bulk for her to put into empty shoe boxes (Georgina to collect)
• Organising a collection at work, school or college that she can collect in December

Georgina added: “I can give you posters and flyers for your collection and even provide a large container for the items if needed.

“Every single box matters so if you want to fill one box and I collect it, that’s simply amazing and could make all the difference to that one person who receives your box.”

You can get in touch with Georgina via Facebook.