WELCOME
All schools, groups and organisations that wish to support our mission to spread a little happiness to disadvantaged children and adults in Eastern Europe.
BOXES
They are available through the website, or from a local Rotary club that supports the scheme. The £2.50 cost of the box is fully inclusive.
Why support us?
We have been operating over 25 years and have delivered over one million boxes
We are a UK registered not for profit charity with no paid employees
We are a non-sectarian organisation, and no leaflets are added to the boxes
We operate all year – Not just at Christmas
The boxes only cost £2.50 each which is less than most on the market.
We are not associated to any other shoebox charity
There are three types of content for filling Shoeboxes
You choose the type of content for each box
NO FOOD OF ANY KIND INCLUDING SWEETS & CHOCOLATES & DRINKS
‘Expiry Dates on items need to have at least 6 months left’
CHILD ~ for young children `{`Toys and Clothes must be new`}`
Cars, trucks, etc, balls, complete jigsaws, action figures, colouring books, pens, crayons, yo-yo, bubble blowers, wooden and plastic toys, pencil case, pencil sharpener, dominoes, modelling clay, plasticine & cutters, fluffy toys, dolls, stickers, writing pads, skipping rope, scarf, mittens / gloves, hat, harmonica, games, cards…
TEENAGER ~ For young people up to 18 years age
Sportswear, scarf, gloves, socks, hat, football memorabilia, writing materials, games, playing cards, tennis ball, tooth brush & paste, roll-on deodorants, comb, mirror, costume jewellery, make-up, hair brush, toiletries, school stationery, clothing repair kits, sketch pad, coloured pens / pencils…
HOUSEHOLD ~ For older folk & families
Scarves, gloves, hats, wrapped soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, disposable razors, shampoo, soap flakes, pan scourers, antiseptic cream, bandages, face or body creams, cosmetics, pens, writing pad & envelopes, T lights, candles, sewing kit, scissors…
BABY ~ NOW DISCONTINUED
WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE
NO FOOD OF ANY KIND INCLUDING SWEETS & CHOCOLATES & DRINKS
Battery operated toys, conflict related items, matches, inflammable liquids, inflammable aerosols (e.g.: deodorants & hair spray), seeds or any other living material, automatic washing machine powders. For safety – Please securely sellotape tops of liquid containers. Protect anything sharp and do not put anything sharp into the Toys box.
Important News for our supporters
Over the last 18 months we have been having increasing problems with Import Customs of our receiving countries. We have suffered fines, delays etc as they raise their importing requirement standards and as such, we must apply stricter rules of what is acceptable, and boxes that fall short of the required standards cannot be dispatched.This has led to some rules we are forced to adhere to:
- All TOYS & CLOTHES must now be NEW.
- Items with ‘EXPIRY DATES’ found on some Household and Personal Care items must have minimum of 6 months left (Customs on arrival insists items must have 3 months left – you appreciate collection, sorting & delivery takes several months)
- NO FOOD OF ANY KIND (this includes all sweets, chocolate etc)
We have also decided to discontinue BABY boxes. There is less demand for them now, and customs are extremely picky about any content, driven by safety and health concerns for the very young.
We appreciate this will take some time to fully implement as new boxes sent will for a time, still include the option, and of course customers will have some in stock. If you could strike them out on the lid before distribution it would be very helpful. Any you have back already can still be returned to us.
We regularly receive shipments back of completed boxes, from which we must reject up to 20% for the reasons above, or they have not been filled.
It would be immensely helpful to us if you could check box contents before requesting a collection. It has become a very serious problem for us as we do not have enough volunteers to inspect every box.
Please contact me if you have any questions or comments
Clive Gardiner (Communications & Trustee)
Email: jclivegardiner@gmail.com
Mob: 0790 483 6615
Clive Gardiner (Communications & Trustee)
Email: jclivegardiner@gmail.com
Mob: 0790 483 6615