Little Learners help Rotary’s Shoebox Appeal

BRIMMING with gifts and essentials, donated shoeboxes will head out to disadvantaged children in eastern Europe on Saturday.

Published 4 Nov 2020, 8:50am

Picture by Peter Frankland. 02-11-20 Children at Little Learners Nursery have been helping to pack shoeboxes to be sent to third world countries..They have been helped by members of law enforcement, Just Games and other small businesses. With L-R- Kellie Eboral, Little Learners, Rebecca Falla and Adam Le Huray of Guernsey Border Agency, Samantha Mahy, Little Learners, Stuart Leon, Just Games and Heidi Garnham of Little Learners.. (28867664) / Peter Frankland

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The Shoebox Appeal co-ordinated by Rotary Guernesiais provides the only Christmas presents for children in some schools and orphanages.

Little Learners Day Nursery nearly doubled its target number of boxes assembled with help from Guernsey businesses and Bailiwick Law Enforcement.

‘We’ve done 187 boxes when we aimed for 100,’ said Little Learners Day Nursery co-owner Sue Savident.

‘There’s around £2,000-worth of stuff here, with at least £1,000 from nursery staff, children, families and friends.’

Heidi Garnham, co-owner, said: ‘Children all made about 20 to 30 Christmas cards each with their handprints, saying Happy Christmas from Little Learners inside.’

BLE set out collection jars and staff donated items.

Picture by Peter Frankland. 02-11-20 Children at Little Learners Nursery have been helping to pack shoeboxes to be sent to third world countries..They have been helped by members of law enforcement, Just Games and other small businesses. L-R - Rafe Baker, 3, Tyrian Cohu, 2, Summer Garnham, 4, Maggie Broomfield, 3 and Alexa Broomfield, 3.. (28867660) / Guernsey Press

Surveyor Rebecca Falla said BLE staff were very happy to help.

‘The big thank you is to Little Learners for putting all the hard work in. We gave money and items but they did the rest. It’s a good cause for children in eastern Europe, especially because the UK aren’t doing it this year.’

Just Games collected donations and donated three cases of toys for cost value.

Owner Stu Lean said the appeal was one of staff member Sam Savident’s passions.

‘We were very happy to source some donations. It’s close to Sam as a family thing, so we added some extra stocking fillers to our Christmas restock.’

Toothbrushes and paste were donated by Kings Mills Dental and Forty One Dental donated £100.

Create gave water bottles and baseball caps, and Allwood Floors and Elim Church both donated towards the boxes.

Rotary Guernesiais shoebox co-ordinator Hannah Laidlow said: ‘Last year we collected 4,767 boxes, and want to beat 5,000 this year. We started on Saturday and had 1,035 boxes by day three.’

Guernsey was the biggest contributor to Rotary’s Wessex district last year. On Saturday, the boxes will be shipped to the UK by Channel Seaways for free for sorting and onward shipping.

‘There will be special challenges this year, with all borders having their own requirements and different rules. Sadly because of the UK lockdown they won’t be there in time for Christmas, but we are aiming for January.’

Dr Laidlow distributed boxes in Romania last December.

‘It was lovely, and quite emotional really. For them it will be the only thing they get for Christmas. They will be thrilled.’