Lady Corder and Government House staff helped out yesterday at Braye Lodge in Ruette Braye, along with members of Guernsey’s Rotary Clubs, Inner Wheel, WEA, and friends of Rotary.
‘It’s great to see all the volunteers here today,’ said Lady Corder, who has been helping to check and count the boxes for six years.
‘Every year people seem to do more and more boxes.’
She said cuddly toys, balls, colouring pencils, and woolly hats remained the most popular items, but this year more people had also been making up boxes for babies.
‘It is time-consuming as we want to make sure everyone has something fun to play with,’ she added.
‘It’s really good that Government House have done lots of boxes and come to help.’
Co-ordinator Hannah Laidlow said the boxes were likely going to children in Romania, and if not would go to Albania, Montenegro, Moldova, or the Philippines.
‘We have had an awful lot from schools and businesses – everyone is remarkable and so generous,’ she added.
‘Some families make up 100 or 200 boxes.’
She said this year they were seeing more boxes than usual.
‘We are doing very well this year and are progressing faster.’
Lady Corder said essential items for boxes included a toothbrush, toothpaste, a face cloth, and soap. However, no food, liquid, or items associated with war are allowed.
Boxes can be dropped off at Braye Lodge until 7pm on Saturday or can be taken to Fletcher Sports. Items must be in new or as-new condition and shoeboxes should be wrapped and secured with an elastic band along with a £1.50 donation to cover transportation and administration costs.
Some empty wrapped boxes are also available if people are looking for a box to fill.
Information and leaflets can be found at: www.rotaryguernesiais.com
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