Joy as thousands of Christmas shoeboxes from Jersey delivered to Romania

Saturday 25 December 2021

Almost 3,000 shoeboxes and over £17,000 were donated to a charity which helps those in need living in Romania.

Mustard Seed’s annual Christmas shoebox appeal provides much needed items – from hats and scarves to writing materials and toiletries – to adults and children living primarily in the Bihor county of Romania.

In the run up to Christmas, islanders gave 2978 shoeboxes to the charity, an increase on boxes donated last year.

 In addition to the boxes, the charity also received £17,620 in donations.

Volunteers helped collect shoeboxes from schools, local companies and donation points across the island, and they were shipped from Jersey at the beginning of December.

Donations were used to purchase food, winter fuel and medical items.  

Speaking about the appeal, the charity said: “We want to thank everyone who has contributed in any way – mainly the generous Jersey public, and also some welcome donations from people in Sark and the UK.

The boxes finally arrived in Romania on 20 December, and were distributed as quickly as possible.

On delivery day, schoolchildren were delighted to receive boxes filled with gifts ranging from toys to school supplies.

Elderly recipients, meanwhile, were treated to warm clothes, bedding and even hand-knitted blankets.