Blythswood’s shoe box appeal gets under way this month
A BLYTHSWOOD Care lorry will be in Caithness next month to collect donations to the annual shoe box appeal.
The lorries have been seen less frequently in the county since the charity installed six textile banks in the Far North to make it easier for people to donate used clothing and other goods.
The banks have been placed at Melvich Primary School, Reay recycling centre, Thurso Free Church, Castletown Free Church, Wick Police Station and Helmsdale Free Church.
These have replaced the Blythswood collection lorries’ monthly stops.
However, a lorry will return to the county on Wednesday, November 9, to collect the presents which are sent out to needy children in Eastern Europe and Pakistan.
It will be in Thurso in the morning, Castletown between 12.30pm and 1pm and Wick in the afternoon. The lorry will be uplifting all the shoe boxes from the county that day.
Christine Stone is one of the co-ordinators of the appeal in the Castletown area.
She said: "We will be running the appeal from Tuesday, October 25, until the lorry arrives on November 9.
"The Castletown appeal will, as in previous years, be run from Castletown Primary School and any donations of any kind towards the shoe boxes would be very welcome.
"Donations of shoe boxes and wrapping paper are also very welcome along with volunteers to fill the boxes."
Filled boxes can be handed in to Castletown Primary School or to the Castletown Free Church manse at any time. Alternatively, those who have no transport can have the boxes collected by calling Mrs Stone on (01847) 821321.
Meanwhile, a 2011 Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal fundraising coffee morning will be held in the village’s Drill Hall on Tuesday, November 1, from 10.30am until noon. It will be run jointly by Olrig Church of Scotland and Castletown Free Church.
For more information about the appeal visit www.blythswood.org