Shoe Boxes 2025

For over 15 years, Basingstoke Loddon Rotary has proudly taken part in the Wessex Rotary Shoebox Appeal.  The scheme is dedicated to collecting Christmas presents for disadvantaged and displaced children in Moldova, Montenegro, Romania and Ukraine (via Poland). This annual Appeal brings hope and joy to many children who might otherwise go without during the festive season.

Activities started early this year when the Rotary Shoeboxes were collected from White & Company in Botley, Southampton, in June.  These flat pack shoeboxes were then stored until the Appeal ‘kicked off’ early in September when Basingstoke Loddon Rotarians delivered the flat pack shoeboxes to 14 local schools and organisations who participated in the Appeal.  These were:

Bramley C of E Primary School

Bramley WI

Chineham Business Park 

Cliddesden Primary School

Haughurst Yoga Studio

Kempshott Infants School

Oakley Infants School

Sherborne St John C of E School

Sherfield Oaks Golf Ladies

St Mary’s Church

Tadley Community School

The Costello School

The Hampshire Clinic

The Hurst School, Tadley

With the Appeal now underway, the collection of the filled shoeboxes began during the week of 13^th October. The process of checking and sorting of the returned shoeboxes started during week commencing 20^th October. 

The goal was for us to deliver all the shoeboxes to the ‘District Warehouse’ by Sunday November 2^nd, which meant there were some busy days and evenings for the team. On 27^th October we received a donation from the Basingstoke Furniture Project of knitted items which was much appreciated. 

This project would not be possible without the generous support of the local community and businesses.  Special thanks go to Jennie Walker, Facilities Manager at Chineham Park, who secured a unit on the Chineham Business Park for us to use.  In addition, much appreciation goes to Herd Van Hire who provided a van to transport the Shoeboxes to the District Warehouse.  Also, thank you to the pupils, children, parents, teachers and individuals who contributed to the Appeal.

In total, we delivered 333 Shoeboxes and these are now on their way to Eastern Europe. Every shoebox collected will help bring happiness to children in need, making their Christmas brighter and more joyful this year.