Shoebox Full Of Love – Xmas Appeal Launched
The Shoebox Full Of Love appeal, to help veterans, homeless and vulnerable men, women and children across Liverpool during the run up to Christmas, is returning for it’s 3rd year!
The campaign was started in 2014 by Huyton-born organiser, Vorny Redmond. The 26-year-old set up the campaign to encourage members of the Liverpool community to donate clothes, wash products, books, or prepaid travel tickets to the homeless. These items can be donated separately, or multiple items can be donated in a wrapped shoebox or gift bag. All packaging must be left unsealed so the volunteers can check donations before distributing them.
Vorny explained: “I started the appeal because the divide between the working class and the homeless in Liverpool really upset me. I wanted to give the people who don’t necessarily have much to smile about a gift as a gesture to let them know they are not forgotten.”
“The response is completely overwhelming, watching what started out as a small idea turn into something so special that helps people in need in Merseyside has been incredible. People love the idea of helping local people and the appeal has just given them a platform to do so.”
The Shoebox Full of Love campaign quickly grew in 2014 when appeals were made via social media for donations of gift-wrapped boxes filled with necessities. In 2015, it’s second year, the appeal reached over 5000 people, doubling in size. We can’t wait to see what can be achieved for 2016!
A number of city charities and helping services are once again set to receive a share of donated shoeboxes, including The Whitechapel Centre, Liverpool Homeless Outreach and the Amadudu Refuge to name a few, and Vorny is hoping the initiative will continue to be even more successful.
A list of drop off points can be found at the top of the Shoebox Full of Love Homeless Appeal Facebook page, which currently has almost 7,000 likes. The drop-off points are now open, and will remain open until the deadline, which is Friday December 9.
For more information, go to their website www.shoeboxfulloflove.co.uk
