A charitable housing association and social enterprise based in Cambridgeshire has launched its annual Shoebox Appeal for the fifth year running.

CHS Group's campaign was first set up in 2018 to ensure that young people supported by CHS Group’s housing services have a gift at Christmas time.

CHS Group provides a number of accommodation and support services in Ely, Wisbech and Cambridge – supporting young people aged 16-24 years old who would otherwise be homeless, as well as people with learning disabilities and those experiencing mental health issues.

The appeal invites individuals, schools, churches, businesses and community groups to donate a shoebox or gift bag filled with a range of Christmas gifts.

Previous supporters include St Faiths School, Morley Memorial School, CB3 Consulting, Sawston Village College, Ladies Golf Team at Cambridge Country Club, Friends of Little Thetford School, RxBiologics and Methodist Churches across the Fens.

Suggested donations include gender-neutral presents such as toiletries, clothing, sweets, treats, stationery and gift cards. Personal notes or messages are also encouraged.

Ely Standard: CHS Group launches annual Shoebox Appeal to bring Christmas cheer to young people across CambridgeshireCHS Group launches annual Shoebox Appeal to bring Christmas cheer to young people across Cambridgeshire (Image: CHS Group)

As in previous years, any surplus boxes or items received will be distributed to other community groups and charities across Cambridgeshire which also support vulnerable people such as other supported housing services and local foodbanks.

Andrew Church, CHS Group’s director of community, said: “We’re so excited to be launching our annual Shoebox Appeal, and are looking forward to making it bigger and better than ever before on its fifth anniversary.

“Since the very beginning in 2018, we’ve had tremendous support from members of the community and local organisations and we hope that this year will bring much of the same.

“Against the backdrop of the cost of living crisis, helping the Cambridgeshire community has been a top priority of ours and giving support to people in need at Christmas time drives our ambition to build on the success of the appeal.

“Whether you’re able to give a shoebox filled with goodies, individual items to go towards a filled shoebox, a donation to our JustGiving page, or even simply an empty shoebox or giftbag for us to fill, it all makes a huge difference.”

CHS Group is welcoming donations from now until December 15.

What to do:

  1. Wrap a box with Christmas paper or use a gift bag, please do not wrap individual items
  2. Fill it with a variety of different items from the suggestion list
  3. Include a card and message (optional)
  4. Gender neutral gifts are preferred but please label the box if gender specific, leaving the box/gift bag unsealed
  5. Drop the box off at any drop off locations. Or make a donation and a box will be made up: www.justgiving.com/campaign/CHS-Shoe-Box-Appeal

 

 

Suggestions list

  • New/unopened toiletries—toothbrushes/paste, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, shower gel, hair gel, nail polish;
  • Clothing—hats, scarf, gloves, socks, underwear, pyjamas (medium);
  • Food—chocolate/sweets, biscuits, selection boxes, savoury snacks
  • Stationary—pens, notepads, games/cards;
  • Gift cards—supermarket or coffee shops
  • Strictly no alcohol, tobacco or cash please

Donations can be dropped off at the following locations and times:

Cambridge

· Head office – Endurance House, Chivers Way, Histon, CB24 9ZR

Monday – Friday 9am -12pm & 2.30pm - 5pm (please avoid 12 - 2.30pm)

· Russell Street – 82 Russell Street Cambridge CB2 1HU

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Ely

· Wheatsheaf Close – 1 Wheatsheaf Close, Ely, CB6 3YJ

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Wisbech

· 204 – 204, Norwich Road, Wisbech, PE13 3TD

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

· Fenland Young People’s Service – The Staithe, Holmes Drive, Wisbech, P13 3TJ

Monday – Friday 9am –5pm