Our latest project

In partnership with the UK Shoebox charity, Rotary UK is involved in sending small boxes full of useful items for children, teenagers and families to those in need across Eastern Europe.

We saw this as a really worthwhile project for us to actively support, so we’ve bought a number of these empty boxes - that now need to be filled with a wide variety of small articles.  Some articles can be pre-loved, but still in good condition, and only a few really need to be new.

Items that are much needed are really basic - things like a woolly hat, a scarf, gloves, a sketch pad and coloured pencils for children, a small mirror and maybe some make-up or costume jewellery for teenagers.     

For a family box, it could have some writing paper and a pen, disposable razors and a toothbrush, a sewing kit, bandages and antiseptic cream, a hairbrush and candles.  Each box comes with a clear guide of what is needed for the three age/gender groups as well as what things need to be avoided, like some liquids and food.

As a test run, one of our Rotarians easily filled a box with some surplus items from around the house, two or three items came from the supermarket and a couple of things were bought in a local charity shop, so the shoebox supported their efforts too. In total, it cost just a few pounds and we are positive that receiving it will bring a smile in a place where there’s perhaps not too much to smile about.  This is a great way to help people with just a little effort and at a very small cost - but with a really high value to those in need.

Filling a box is a great family project, works well for school groups to raise awareness of why such boxes are needed, and fits in well with a number of Scout achievement badges.

If you’d like to take part in this really worthwhile project and get a box to fill, let us know and we’ll get one to you.