Charity appeal to help children after poor response

A CHARITY is urging the public to make a child’s Christmas after a lack-lustre response so far to their festive appeal.

Operation Christmas Child, which gets the public to donate shoeboxes packed with presents for children in some of the poorest countries in the world, said numbers are down on previous years.

Time is running out for regional organisers, who believe the recession may be behind the slump.

Margaret Griffin, area co-ordinator for Hampshire, said: “I would say at the moment it’s quieter. I think the recession has been having an effect – we need people to dig a bit deeper.”

Collections started at shop drop off points across the county from the beginning of November and will continue until tomorrow, however people can still drop off at a central warehouse until December 3.

The initiative, run by Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse, sees members of the public pack a shoebox with presents such as toys, treats and accessories.

Mrs Griffin, who has been involved for the last four years, said volunteers had processed 4,500 shoeboxes ready for transport, but had probably received 6,000 at the warehouse, in Unit 8 of the Boyatt Wood Industrial Estate, in Eastleigh.

She said although it is early days and it is different to compare because the collection patch area has changed there are less boxes than usual.

A shoebox can be put together for about £10, but must be given with a £2.50 donation to cover the transportation costs.

The warehouse takes gifts from residents across the SO and PO postcodes, Isle of Wight and Reading.

Last year, more than 27,800 shoeboxes were donated by individuals and groups across the county and transported to youngsters in Belarus, Bosnia, Crimea, Romania, Serbia, Swaziland, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.

These children may no longer be with their parents because they have been abandoned or they were removed by the authorities, or they may be ill or living in poverty.

Mrs Griffin said for many of the children this will be the only or even the first gift they have received.

She guessed that the drop in donations could be down to lack of awareness, people supporting other prominent charities like Help for Heroes or a lack of realisation that there is a need.

She said: “A lot of people say charity starts at home, which is okay, but we live in a world which has tremendous needs. If you think the recession is bad here you should see what it’s like in Africa.

“We have lots of schools involved, lots of churches involved, lots of individuals involved, but we need more.”

For information about the appeal or how to donate call Mrs Griffin on 07982 804415 or see the website operationchristmaschild.org.