Aberfeldy Area Shoebox Appeal

We launched the school campaign on Monday 15 October, thanks to the enthusiasm of Mrs Swan, with registration teachers and classes being encouraged to become involved. We made customs leaflet displays, posters and displays for Asda. We also took notes around local businesses asking them to put aside items to help with an advertising window display that we were going to do on the 28th September. The local businesses were really generous and we made the display at the front of MISWACO. Thanks to Derry who collected more items for the display during the October Holidays

On Saturday 3 November we travelled to ASDA where we encouraged shoppers to donate food, warm clothing and suitable items to send in the shoeboxes. Thanks to Mr Mackenzie, Mrs Duncan-Miller and Mr Russell for your help during the day - they thought we were backpacking and enjoyed the day much more than they thought they would wearing sandwich boards and accosting the public! We were wonderfully surprised by people’s generosity- one couple gave us a whole full trolley! We spent a fantastic £600 on our mad “supermarket trolley race”, raised by asking friends, family neighbours and teachers for donations. This bought us loads of food, hats, toys, toiletries etc. By the end of the day the trailer was completely full and we enjoyed free meals courtesy of Macdonalds - thanks.

(A further £380 was raised which was spent on 100s of hats and gloves through the Internet)

On the day of the Breadalbane Academy collection (14 November) we collected boxes from register and primary classes, plus food that had been donated by pupils and teachers. We received 134 boxes and bags of fillers which was the best ever – brilliant.

During the final collection day we filled and received over 900 shoeboxes and raised £956.53 towards transport including £340 from the Bring and Buy Sale. Thanks to Harriet, Mark, Struan, Ken and Raj and friends from the Chillies Restaurant who made everyone a great curry for lunch. Maise Stevens made Fred and Joan’s tea (drivers of the lorry to transport shoeboxes). We checked boxes as we filled and received them to help those at the Blythswood Headquarters meaning that, as they left the Town Hall, they were already starting their 6 week journey to the slums of Mumbai.

A great big THANK YOU to everyone involved in anyway this year. It was great to be part of a brilliant effort by the schools, individuals and communities from our area. I recommend anybody who hasn’t already to get involved with the Shoebox Appeal next year.

by Callum Downie