Donations sought in Caithness for Blythswood Shoebox Appeal
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LOCAL people are being asked to get into the Christmas spirit early by taking part in the annual Blythswood Shoebox Appeal.
The co-ordinator for Castletown and the surrounding communities, Christine Stone, will launch the initiative on Monday, October 28, when staff and children of Castletown school and nursery will receive a shoebox leaflet and letter, while posters and leaflets will be distributed to village shops.
As in previous years, the appeal will be run from Castletown and Community Free Church café and the Castletown Primary School stage.
Donations of any kind towards the shoeboxes will be welcome, along with any money donations to help with the ongoing costs of shoebox transportation to eastern Europe.
Members of the public can help by filling a box or by putting a few basic items together.
Mrs Stone said: "Why not pop a box into your office and ask colleagues to contribute? Just drop the box off at the church or the school stage and the team will wrap and fill shoeboxes on your behalf.
"It’s not difficult to choose gifts for folks who have next to nothing. The things we take for granted are luxuries for people living in desperate poverty."
Anyone who would like to volunteer to help fill the boxes can contact Mrs Stone on 01847 821321.
The things we take for granted are luxuries for people living in desperate poverty.
Filled shoeboxes can be handed in to the school or church at any time. Alternatively, shoeboxes can be collected – contact Mrs Stone by phone to make arrangements.
The appeal will run for just over two weeks. The Blythswood lorry will be in the village to pick up donations on Wednesday, November 13, at the village's main car park, between 11.30am and noon.
To support the appeal a coffee morning will be held at Castletown and Community Free Church café on Tuesday, November 5, from 10.30am until noon.
To find out more about the shoebox appeal visit the Blythswood website at www.blythswood.org
