St Malachy’s Girls prepare gift shoboxes
THE young pupils of St. Malachy’s Girls School got into the Christmas spirit early this year as they responded to the ‘gift shoebox’ appeal for children in eastern Europe.
Principal Brid Galligan told the Argus she was ‘so proud’ of the pupils who have been busily collecting gift items to fill their shoeboxes over the last few weeks.
‘ They have been so brilliant in getting together the best small items for different age groups, and for boys and girls’ says Brid.
A total of 140 boxes were donated, filled with items that children in poorer countries will both need and love this Christmas, kindly donated by the pupils and their families
‘ The boxes included some vital goods such as tooth brushes and toothpaste, and also much needed clothing likes socks, hats and gloves, as the winters are so hard there.’
She added that the children also wanted to add some little surprise gifts, including books, pencils and crayons.
‘ The shoeboxes are such a
great idea, they provide Christmas presents for children that they might not otherwise get,’ said Brid.
‘Children here also love to take part, by donating and collecting gifts and goods to fill the boxes, which they did over the mid term break.’
After they were beautifully
wrapped, the Friary girls helped local charity organiser Conor Hughes to pack them for transport to Romania this week.
‘Conor kindly agreed to take the shoeboxes with him as part of a delivery going out this week, so we’re very grateful,’ added Brid.
The shoebox appeal has been
a hugely popular initiative, running across the country for many years. With the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has been having on charities during 2020, the support shown by the Friary school this year is more vital than ever.