Charity thanks community for support of annual shoebox appeal

Tuesday 18 December 2018

Schools, businesses, community groups and individuals from across Surrey are helping to spread some festive cheer for those spending the Christmas period in hospital.

The local community has come together to support Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity’s annual shoebox appeal, which aims to make sure all patients receive a gift to help brighten their day.

Hundreds of shoeboxes filled with useful gifts – including hats and gloves, chocolates, crossword puzzles and toiletries – have been delivered to Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford over the past month.

Surrey Street Rodders delivered an incredible 50 shoeboxes to the hospital on Friday (14 December). The custom and hot rod car club used money raised at its annual Good Friday charity event ‘Wheels Day’ to buy the gifts.

Andrew Carpenter, from Surrey Street Rodders, said:

“The Surrey Street Rodders have been supporting local good causes in Surrey and Hampshire since holding our very first car show in 1974. Since the Royal Surrey opened in 1981, we have always admired the great work they do for the community and we take great pleasure in supporting the hospital. Being ill and in hospital is hard for people and their families no matter what time of year, but Christmas makes it exceptionally hard, especially for those without families. This year’s appeal was the perfect opportunity to help the communities of Surrey and Hampshire and bring a little joy to people in their time of need; hopefully making their stay a little easier.”

We've received donations from many other individuals, businesses, community groups and schools, including: University of Surrey Library, Woolmer Hill School, Guildford Spectrum, Home Instead Senior Care in Alton, 1st Westcott Brownies, Cranleigh School, Merrist Wood College, South East Coast Ambulance Control Room, Milford Diagnostic Treatment Centre and Welbilt EMEA. Some shoeboxes have already been distributed to staff on the wards to give to patients over the Christmas period.

Sandy Lowry, Events Fundraising Administrator at Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity, said:

“We have been blown away by the generous donations from people in Surrey. Everyone has put so much time and effort into making such beautiful gifts and we are so grateful for their support. Being in hospital at Christmas when others are spending time with family can be particularly tough – especially for those patients who don’t have family around. To know someone’s thinking of them can make a real difference.”

If you'd still like to donate a shoebox, it's not too late. We are accepting deliveries until Thursday 20 December.

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