A CHARITY is continuing its effort to find a new base in Barrow so volunteers can collect, sort and ship out thousands of Christmas presents for children living in poverty.
Boxes of Hope Cumbria is without a warehouse in the Furness town as the venue they usually use to co-ordinate their campaign locally is not available this year.
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The appeal encourages people to fill a shoebox with small toys and school equipment so it can then be flown to Romania and handed to a child in time for Christmas.
The charity has received offers of help from many locations around Barrow but none so far is big enough to house the thousands of presents that people donate.
The warehouse or large business premises needs to be available between November 12 and 22 so the gifts can be handed out in time for the festive season.
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Rhona Teale, shoebox coordinator and manager of the Barrow warehouse for Boxes of Hope Cumbria, said: "We've had no luck yet. Murrays offered us their shop on Roose Road but it was not quite big enough.
"Marks and Spencer have offered us warehouse space and would love to work with us but again it is about half the size that we need and upstairs even though their is a goods lift and really good access."
Anyone who has a large space and can help should ring Mrs Teale on 07821849992 or email rhonagirlguidingcumbriasouth@hotmail.com
What you could put in your box
- Something fun - make sure to include a selection of toys and games for child to enjoy. Items like balls, cars, dolls, skipping ropes, and dominoes are great ideas.
- Something to use at school - notebooks, colouring book, pens, crayons, rulers and pencil sharpers are some items a Romanian child can use for learning at school or home.
- Something to wear - due to the cold winters clothes are good things to add to boxes. These could include hats, gloves, scarves, mittens and socks.
- Something sweet - sweets which have a use by date of at least March of next year can be added if wanted.
- Something to keep clean - soap, facecloths, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brushes, combs and hair accessories would make good additions to the box.
<strong>What you shouldn't put in your box</strong>
- Food (except for sweets)
- Medicines
- Aerosols
- Liquids like shampoo and shower gel
- Glass and other fragile and sharp items
- War-related toys
- Novels
- Playdough and plasticine
- Loom bands
Details of where to drop off filled shoe boxes, together with the £2 donation for transport costs, will be released in autumn.
Leaflets and donation forms are already available by emailing info@boxesofhopecumbria.co.uk
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