Green light for Buckie Christmas shoebox appeal
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COVID may have brought with it challenges aplenty, but a dedicated team of local volunteers are determined not to let it stop them in their annual fund-raising drive.
Next week will herald the slightly earlier than usual start to Blythswood Care's Christmas shoebox appeal, with the local community being asked to donate either filled boxes or goods to fill them.
The shoeboxes, which this year will be bound for Romania, contain all manner of items from toiletries to toys depending on the age group they are intended for, and bring a slice of festive joy to some of the poorest people in Europe.
Buckie Blythswood Support Group organiser George Flett said that the coronavirus pandemic had brought in many enforced changes but the team of volunteers would be soldiering ahead to help those in need.
He said: "We've got quite a different set-up this year due to Covid.
"The first phase next week will see us accepting donations of boxes or items for boxes at Buckie Baptist Church Hall then the week after we'll be putting them together ready for shipment to Romania.
"This will be a big difference from last year; in 2019 we had a team of up to 40 at one point working away but due to the Covid safety restrictions we'll have small groups of volunteers working in shifts. It all took a fair bit of organising and we didn't actually know for sure if we would be doing this at all until August."
The Buckie arm of the campaign sent around 1500 shoeboxes off to Hungary last year although the last seven months of pandemic and lockdown make it harder to predict this year's haul.
However, Mr Flett remains impressed and humbled by the response already forthcoming from the local community.
"It's very heartening to see people thinking of others, especially when you consider what we've been through over the last seven months," he continued.
"There're plenty of excuses for not doing anything but people have already been coming forward with goods.
"There's been a lot of interest in getting hold of our shoebox guide leaflets.
"During lockdown many people have had a lo more time on their hands and been using that to knit the likes of gloves, scarves and hats which are being donated to us.
"I've no idea how this year is going to pan out, we're in uncharted territory. As always we are deeply grateful for any support people can give us. It makes such a difference."
The collection phase of this year's campaign will run over Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, October 28-30, with the hall open to receive donations from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm on the first two days and 2pm-4pm on the Friday.
Click here for more information on the Blythswood Christmas shoebox appeal.
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