Shoebox Appeal

The scheme was set up over 30 years ago and is a UK registered not for profit charity with no paid employees. It is a non sectarian organisation with no leaflets etc added to the boxes and operating all year round. Since starting, over one million boxes have been sent to disadvantaged children (including babies) families and elderly adults in Eastern Europe including Ukraine, Moldova, Romania etc where they are distributed by local Rotary clubs. Our involvement was started in 2006 by Philip Broomhead. We have connected with the Mirfield community via schools, churches, various organisations, nursing homes, Rotary members and the general public. To date we have collected and delivered in the region of ten thousand boxes. The physical side involving collection of filled boxes is currently organised by Rotarian Sue Charlesworth with a team of helpers. Admin is operated by Rotarian Philip Broomhead. There is no financial cost or gain to the club or charity.

Rotary, Inner Wheel, Rotaract, Interact & Rota Kids Clubs purchase the special boxes from the Rotary Trustees (a small group of Rotarians who administer the scheme). The boxes are sent ‘flat packed’ to the Club.

It is then up to the club as to where to send the boxes for filling. Often local schools, children’s uniformed organizations, church groups, elderly peoples homes, friends, relatives, etc., are the ones who enthusiastically fill the boxes.

The person filling the box, sellotapes £2 to the top of the box. This is then retrieved by the local Club who, by this means, hopefully balance their books. The initial money retained by the Trustees is used mainly for transport costs to Eastern & Central Europe and for manufacturing the boxes.

The filled boxes are then returned to the central warehouse and for subsequent delivery to Eastern Europe.
Once delivered the boxes are distributed by Rotary Clubs and other tried and trusted partners ensuring that your gifts go to those most in need. This is an all year round project with deliveries made wherever and whenever there is a need.

Box dimensions are: Length 30.5cm (12″) x Width 15cm (6″) x Depth 12.5cm (5″)

Learn more about Rotary shoeboxes on their website: Rotary Shoeboxes

Ravenshall School