School pupils spread festive joy
Youngsters in the town have been giving a helping hand to make sure others get presents at Christmas.
The children in Sunderland have been taking part in a national scheme run by the Rotary Club.
It involved filling shoeboxes with goods, which are them shipped to those in need.
John McLoughlin from Seaburn Rotary group said he was delighted that the young people were thinking of others in Europe who are more deprived than themselves.
He said: “For the last few weeks pupils, all under eleven years old, from Redby Academy, Dame Dorothy Primary and youngsters from the Box Youth Project at Doxford Park have been thinking about Christmas, not for themselves but for deprived children in other countries.
“The children, with the help of parents and teachers, have been filing shoeboxes with useful gifts for children of their own age in Eastern Europe who may not otherwise receive any gifts at Christmas.
“The shoeboxes have been filled with small toys, educational items, hygiene items, gloves, scarves and sweets.”
Over 100 shoeboxes have been handed over to Seaburn Rotary who set up the collection.
The international organiser of Seaburn Rotary, Pat Emmerson, said “It is encouraging to see young children showing such concern for deprived children in other countries.
“Seaburn Rotary organises for the shoeboxes to be sent to orphanages and deprived children in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.”
At part of the scheme Pat went along to Redby Academy where she met the children and was handed the boxes.
The Rotary Shoebox Scheme was originally started by North West Rotary clubs in 1994, with the intention of providing children of Iasi, in North-East Romania, with Christmas gifts.
Since then, the scheme has become a national project supported not only by Rotary clubs but also by individuals, schools, companies, churches, and a number of other organisations.
Each year the charity now sends around 50,000 shoeboxes or gifts to many different countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
And, it is not just for Christmas, gifts are sent to orphanages, children’s homes and hospitals all year round to support people and families of all ages, including the elderly.
For information visit www.rotaryshoebox.org.
“To see young children showing such concern” PAT EMMERSON