Rotary Shoebox Appeal

Gift a child a Rotary Shoebox

JOIN Gosport Rotary Club in bringing a bit of festive cheer by sending a shoebox laden with gifts to disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe.

Once again, we're joining forces with the Wessex Rotary Shoebox Scheme to provide shoeboxes to children in Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Romania - and we need your help. Last year, we sent more than 600 shoeboxes, and this year we would like to improve on that number.

Here is how you can help: 

• Collect a flatpack shoebox from Simon Mason by sending an email to: simon@westernway.uk (we would be grateful for a donation of £2 per box to go towards the cost of the box and transport).
• International Customs require that items packed must be for education, health and hygiene purposes.
• All items must be new or 'nearly new' condition.

Ideas of what to pack for either a boy or girl:

Ages 1 to 3:

Small soft toy, picture book, hat, gloves, socks, soap, hairbrush, flannel, toothbrush & toothpaste, plus any suitable small items.

Ages 4 to 7:

Educational picture book, game, simple jigsaw, ball, Lego, crayons & colouring book, hat, gloves, scarf, socks, soap, hairbrush, flannel, toothbrush & toothpaste, toy vehicle, small doll, skipping rope.

Ages 8 to 11:

Educational picture book, game, jigsaw, ball, card game, felt-tip pens, pencils, pencil case, drawing book, hat, gloves, scarf, socks, wide-toothed comb, soap, flannel, toothbrush & toothpaste, sports item, skipping rope, hair accessories. 

Ages 12 to 15:

Educational picture book, game, playing cards, geometry set, pens, pencils & case, pencil sharpener, rubber, writing/drawing book, hat, gloves, scarf, socks, wide-toothed comb, soap, flannel, toothbrush & toothpaste, wash bag, hair accessories, sports item.

Do not include:

• Food
• Liquids
• Sweets
• Battery-powered items
• War-related items; toys, books, guns, knives etc.
• Large items of clothing or shoes
• Books of a religious, racial or political nature
• Medicines
• Large toys
• Sharp items

How to make up your shoebox:

Do not wrap the individual items, just place them in your box. Include a Christmas card, and maybe a letter or a photograph if you wish.

Ensure you have clearly marked the age group and whether the shoebox is intended for a boy or a girl.

We know that children receiving our shoeboxes value the box itself to store their treasures in. Make up the supplied box, and why not decorate it with stickers?

Please sellotape to the top of the box a donation of £2 towards the cost of the box and transportation.

Shoeboxes need to be filled by October 18th for transportation on October 25th. You can drop off the shoebox, or we can arrange to collect from you.

Thank you for your support. Let's see how many smiles we can bring to disadvantaged children's faces this year. For more details, contact Simon Mason at: simon@westernway.uk