Retirement Village Residents Rally for Shoebox Appeal
Residents of a Bristol Retirement Village are spreading holiday cheer far and wide this year, sending over 200 lovingly packed gift boxes to the Teams4u Shoebox Appeal.
The annual campaign, organized by the charity Teams4u, brings Christmas gifts and essential items to vulnerable children and families across Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Bosnia, and Romania.
In 2023 the village packed 145 boxes and this year they hope to send 250 with the Shoebox Appeal.
Each shoebox contains everyday essentials like toothpaste and soap, as well as toys, to brighten lives during the holiday season. Teams4u works closely with local partners, including the Red Cross, to ensure these gifts reach those who need them most.
Led by resident Viv Warren, ExtraCare’s Stoke Gifford Village community has gone above and beyond, raising an estimated £3,000–£4,000 to fill the boxes. At £15–£20 per box, their efforts reflect extraordinary generosity and teamwork.
The residents didn’t just financially support the project but put their skills and creativity to work, knitting hats and gloves, crafting soft toys, and even upcycling charity shop finds. Preloved ‘Barbie’ dolls were given glamorous makeovers, complete with painted-on shoes and custom-made outfits. A homemade teddy bear was also included in each, made by the Stoke Gifford ‘Knit and Natter’ group.
Viv expressed pride in the community’s efforts, saying, “Everyone in the Village has worked really hard to make the project a success. Staff, residents, families and friends have pulled together to give the children a box of little extras, put together with thought and love, to cheer their Christmas”
This is just the latest in a number of charity fundraising ideas ExtraCare residents have been involved in. This latest act of kindness showcases the power of the ExtraCare community and proves that anyone can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others if they just put their mind to it.
Find out more information about the Teams4u Shoebox Appeal.
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