Operation Christmas Child, the annual children’s charity campaign has launched in Derbyshire and is looking for local supporters to continue with their generosity in providing shoeboxes filled with gifts for children who are facing life in extremely poor conditions in several overseas countries.

Derbyshire Regional Manager for Operation Christmas Child, Jane Simmonds says;

“We are one of the UK’s largest annual children’s charity projects, distributing over one million gift-filled shoeboxes to needy children at Christmas time last year.  2011 is the 21st year of operation and the level of support from across the country is vital to the continued success of the project and we know we can still count on people’s big-heartedness even in difficult economic times.

With 2012 being an Olympic year, we are asking supporters – old and new – to think about including some sporting items in their shoebox, as many children are inspired by Sport even when life is hard.  So gifts such as tennis balls, skipping rope, baseball bat, small football, inflatable beach ball, stop watch, sweat bands and other sports related items, will be greatly appreciated.  Also, the shoebox could be decorated with sports stickers or drawings.

Our main aim is to bring happiness and hope at Christmas to tens of thousands of youngsters, many of whom live in very difficult conditions including displaced persons camps, street shelters, hospitals or children’s homes.  They have very little to call their own and it is quite wonderful to see what a shoebox filled with some toys and other small gifts can do to brighten up a child’s life at a time of year when we are celebrating Christmas.”

Operation Christmas Child is an initiative of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief and development organisation, and anyone wishing to participate in this year’s shoebox campaign should visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk or contact the Helpline on 0870 011 2002.

They will receive a simple set of instructions explaining what to do.  The guidelines suggest what to put in a shoebox, how to pack it and where to send it for collection and onward transportation.  A £2.50 contribution is requested towards the promotion, processing, UK transportation and shipping. 

There are plenty of drop-off locations in Chesterfield including: Yeomans Outdoor Leisure, Stead & Simpson, Hobby Horse, Morrisons, Shoe Zone (where you can also pick up a shoebox) and the main warehouse at 172 Chatsworth Road. 

So get packing those shoeboxes and help spread some Christmas cheer to those less fortunate.  Shoeboxes should be dropped off by November 18th at the very latest.