Operation Christmas Child

This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions we cannot offer our usual Shoebox filling and collection service.

You can find out about OCC and how to send a Virtual Shoebox instead www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk


Since 1990, over 100 million children and young people, worldwide, have been able to receive a Christmas gift that they would not have received because they live in extreme poverty or because they are orphaned or their parents are just too poor to buy them a Christmas present. A fantastic achievement from the simple idea of a friend of mine, Dave Cooke, a carpenter from Wrexham who was so deeply moved by the plight and images of children in the orphanages in Romania on TV in 1990 that he decided he had to do something about it. Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is now the largest children’s charity in the world.


Sending shoeboxes is a very practical way of showing God's love to others and it's amazing how much a simple gift can do for those who send them as well as those who receive them. I know how much pleasure so many people get from buying small gifts, knitting scarves and hats etc., and putting a shoebox together. Might I please ask if you and your family and/or your place of work, club, organisation or business could collect the following items for our shoebox appeal?


        Shoeboxes: Please wrap in colourful wrapping paper if you can (but don't worry if you can't).

        For age-related gift Ideas check here.

        Toiletries: Toothbrushes, Soap, Flannels, Combs, Brushes.

        Small Toys: Tennis Balls, Dominoes, Teddies!

        Educational Equipment: Pens, Paper, Pencils, Colouring Books, Rubbers, Sharpeners.

        Woollens: Hats, Scarves, Gloves.

        Photographs: Or a Letter or a Card from the person/group who fill the shoebox.

        Donations: Each shoebox costs £5 to deliver.


N.B. Unlike previous years, do NOT include Toothpaste or sweets of any kind.

Also, do not include: Used or damaged items; War related toys such as guns, play soldiers or knives; Liquids or lotions of any type including bubbles and medicines. Anything of a political, racial or religious nature; Sharp objects; glass containers, mirrors or fragile items; Playing cards of the 4-suit variety.


I have been fortunate to help lead shoebox distribution teams to Belarus, Crimea and the Ukraine and I have seen, at first hand, the joy a simple shoebox ‘filled with love’ can bring. I’d be happy to come and speak with you about my experiences, tell some stories and show some slides!


Revd Paul A. Carr