The festive spirit arrives early with Shoebox Appeal response
MORE than 1,000 Christmas shoeboxes have been packed ready to be sent to Europe, thanks to a local risk management business and its staff’s friends and families.
Artex Risk Solutions, along with the help of Rodley Park residents, clients, friends and family have packed 1,112 shoeboxes – breaking the original goal of 1,000.
The office was inspired by staff member Tracey Cordingley and her family’s continued efforts over the past 15 years towards the Rotary Shoebox Appeal.
Staff are hoping to pack a few more before the Monday delivery.
‘It’s been quite the challenge, but it’s been really good fun. It’s been good team building as well,’ said Artex client service director Jean-Pierre Bourgaize.
To raise the money for shoebox items and postage Artex has held a range of fundraising events.
These events included a bake sale, sponsored haircuts, sponsored waxing and a rock ‘n’ roll bingo event that raised just over £1,200.
The company was grateful to staff for being prepared to give up spare evenings and weekends to enable them to hit their target.
This is the first time the company has been involved with the Rotary Shoebox Appeal, which it adopted as its charity of the year. It got the cause under way with a significant donation.
All 70 members of staff have contributed something to the boxes.
Some have flown to the UK to buy goods that cannot be bought on-island. Other colleagues have made soap, while knitting classes have allowed Artex staff to knit toys for the boxes.
Mrs Cordingley said that it felt incredible to have the support of Artex for the Rotary shoebox appeal.
Over the past few weeks the business has operated a rota to help with the organisation of shopping, packing and filling the boxes.
‘We’ve smashed our target, it feels incredible,’ said Mrs Cordingley.
Mr Bourgaize said there was a push to do it again and the goal would increase, perhaps even looking to fill a crate, which is 5,000 boxes.
