As a Church, we send several hundred shoeboxes to Blythswood Care every year.  In 2025 our Church sent more than 470 filled shoeboxes to them.  Our shoeboxes were collected on 20th October. In the last thirty years the charity has distributed more than 2.5 million boxes – each one different, each one personal, each one an expression of the care and kindness shown to a stranger in need.

Filled with small practical items such as toiletries, stationery and clothing, the individually-wrapped boxes are distributed in schools, hospitals, orphanages, care homes and to households in very low income communities. Last year many shoeboxes went to people affected by the war in Ukraine.

Margo (pictured below) will start collecting for the 2026 shoebox appeal in February 2026. Thank you for your support.

Various events were held which raised more than £700 for the transport costs associated with the collection/delivery of the shoe boxes including a mens and a ladies breakfasts, the annual Holland Singers concert at the Church and a table top sale.  

Your gift truly makes a difference.

The Foodbank need the following items:

The Foodbank currently has plenty of the following:

Baked Beans, Soup, Pasta, Rice, Cereal

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to find out what the Clacton Foodbank urgently needs