Deadline looms for Christmas shoeboxes

Deadline looms for Christmas shoeboxes

Operation Christmas Child is getting ready for its busiest day of the year – Friday 18 November.

That’s the final date for people to hand in their gift-filled shoeboxes, which will then be distributed to vulnerable children in over a dozen countries.

This year the charity is asking for a sports item to be included, if possible, as 2012 will see the Olympic Games held in the UK.

Ian Taylor, Greater Manchester Regional Manager of Operation Christmas Child, said: “It’s a busy but brilliant time for us.”

The organisation receives donations from all over the region, including Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton, Bury and Oldham.

Mr Taylor added: “It’s hectic and happy. We get to meet lots of local people – from school pupils to senior citizens – whose kindness makes such a huge difference to the children receiving their shoeboxes.

“Many of the children are in state-run homes, street shelters, orphanages or hospital or may be living with their families but facing real hardship in their daily lives. The smiles we see at this end from those donating the shoeboxes are matched at the other end when the youngsters open their shoebox – it’s a simple way for one person to help another.”

For suggestions of what to put in a shoebox visit: www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk or call 0870 011 2002.

The website also has a list of local Drop-Off Points where individuals can hand in their shoebox.