Surrey school helps spread some festive cheer

Students donate gifts for Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Monday 12 November 2018

A group of 15 students from Surrey are hoping to spread some festive cheer for people spending Christmas in hospital.

The students from Cranleigh School, who are between 14 and 16 years old, have pledged their support for our Christmas Shoebox Appeal, which aims to make sure every patient spending the festive period in hospital receives a gift to help brighten their day.

Beth Lewis, Housemistress of Rhodes House and Head of Psychology at Cranleigh School, has set the young adults a challenge to fill as many shoeboxes as possible over the coming weeks. The challenge is part of the school’s Community Service Programme, which aims to give students an opportunity to take part in a volunteer placement.

Beth said:

“We’re always looking for new ways to serve the local community. I heard about Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity’s Shoebox Appeal last Christmas and thought it would be a great project for the students to support, as well as it being something they can all relate to. They are working really hard to complete the shoeboxes for when we deliver them to the hospital at the end of November, and they’ve already hit the ground running with sourcing shoeboxes and gifts to go inside.”

We're asking for support from the local community to make sure we have enough shoeboxes for the hundreds of patients who’ll be in hospital over the festive period. Along with Cranleigh School, other Surrey-based organisations, including Surrey Street Rodders, 1st Westcott Brownies and Home Instead in Alton, have all pledged their support.

Holly Bird, Schools and Community Fundraising Manager at Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity, said:

“We are so grateful for the support we’ve already received from Cranleigh School and other local organisations, which will make a real difference to those in hospital this Christmas. We still need more shoeboxes to make sure everyone receives a gift, so if you would like to help, please get in touch.”

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