Car dealerships across the UK are being turned into a Santa’s Grotto for the next couple of weeks – all in aid of a charitable campaign which sends present-filled shoeboxes to needy children in developing countries.
Polar Ford, Brunel Ford, Heartlands Ford and Dagenham Motors dealerships are all designated drop off points for the 2009 “Operation Christmas Child” shoebox appeal. The appeal encourages people to send some festive cheer to children less fortunate than most, across the world.
Run in conjunction with the Samaritans Purse charity, “Operation Christmas Child” entails filling shoeboxes with toys and gifts to send to children around the world in hospitals, orphanages, refugee camps, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods.
A spokesperson for Ford Retail, which owns each of the dealerships, said: “This is the third year that we have taken part in the appeal. Last year the Group collected over 10,000 shoeboxes, each wrapped in Christmas paper and filled with small toys, crayons, clothes and sweets, and this year we are aiming to collect even more. It’s an extremely worthwhile cause and we are looking forward to taking part again this year.”
How to pack your shoebox:
Remember to make your box both fun and educational! All shoebox items should be new and can contain gifts such as:
Toys: Bear, soft toy, tennis ball, finger puppet, jigsaw, yo-yo, building blocks, small musical instrument. For boys trucks and cars, for girls dolls, clip on earrings etc.
Educational supplies: Felt pens, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, colouring book, notepad, picture or puzzle book, chalk, pencil case, stickers etc.
Hygiene items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, hair clips, bar of soap, flannel etc.
Other items: Sweets (sell by date to be at least March of the following year), gloves, scarf, sunglasses, cap, hat, bangles, necklaces etc.
Shoeboxes can be dropped off at your nearest showroom until Tuesday 18th November. For further information about the campaign and what items to include in your shoeboxes, please visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk or contact the dealership using the details below:
319 The Hyde, Edgware Road, London, NW9 6TH. Tel: 0208 358 8600
Baker Street, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 2DZ. Tel: 01707 652219
720 Great Cambridge Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 5DU. Tel: 0208 884 7800
268 London Road, Staines, Middlesex, TW18 4JQ. Tel: 01784 466 666
51 Stamford Hill, London, N16 5TB. Tel: 0208 826 2200
357 Chigwell Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 8PE. Tel: 0208 498 9848
719-727 London Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 1SE. Tel: 0208 814 4600
20-40 East Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 1HF. Tel: 01372 804 000
Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton, Kingston, Surrey, KT7 0EG. Tel: 0208 339 3514
Brighton Road, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 1BS. Tel: 01737 352 202
Wintersells Road, Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 7LF. Tel: 01932 332933
Guildford Road, Bookham, Surrey, KT23 4HY. Tel: 0208 814 4600
Ripple Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 9PG
Eastern Avenue, Newbury Park, Ilford, IG2 7EE
161-169 Pier Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1AF
259 Plaistow Road, London, E15 3EU
Fiveways, Sidcup Road, Eltham, London, SE9 3AQ
2) The annual project enables caring individuals, families, schools, churches, businesses, and other organisations to fill ordinary shoe boxes with small toys, school supplies, sweets, and other gifts for needy children around the world.
3) Last year 1.2 million shoe boxes were sent from the UK to children in hospitals, orphanages, refugee camps, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods.
