CHEPSTOW based homelessness charity Street Life Sarnies (SLS) has started its annual Christmas appeal and is asking people to donate shoeboxes full of supplies.
The charity is collecting shoeboxes or goodies bags full of items which will help rough sleepers and the vulnerable across South Wales and Bristol.
The boxes can contain any range of items from things such as biscuits sweets or chocolate to socks, body spray, tissue and wipes or cards and crossword puzzles or word searches.
The boxes should be labeled male or female and not sealed, they will also be distributed to emergency accommodation and hostels and refuges where there are children so chocolate selection boxes and new toys are so welcome too.
SLS founder Claire Day said: “We have been astounded at the generosity all across south Wales and Bristol over the last three years and especially for the Christmas appeals.
“Last year we collected over 1,500 shoeboxes which were distributed to individuals and families vulnerably housed in emergency accommodation.
“This year we really need your help again. We need friends, neighbours and communities to pull together and see if we can smash last years record as need is rising.”
Christmas time should be special for everyone and these boxes help achieve that. Mrs Day said: “Although we can’t help every single one, for each shoebox, new toy or chocolate selection you give someone will feel love, kindness and have a boost of self worth at a really tough time of year.”
SLS is being supported by Chepstow Tesco’s community team who is holding a fundraising day on Saturday 18th November from 9am to 4pm where shoppers can buy items to donate towards boxes being made up and donate to SLS.
They also held a fundraising day on Tuesday, 14th November.
Mrs Day said: “SLS works all year round and the support of Tesco’s community team is vital to the work we do. We really value their support as a local depot till the 8th December and running these two brilliant days for SLS in store.”
All donations have to be in before 8th December and they can be dropped off at a number of locations.
These include the customer services desk in Tesco, the Coach & Horses in Welsh Street in Chepstow; the White Monk in Tintern; Country Flowers on Newport Road, Caldicot; the Wheatsheaf Inn and Teeth for Life both in Magor Square and Little Welly gifts on Bridge Street in Usk.
In Bristol donations can be dropped at Courier Direct ltd at 9b East Park Trading Estate; at the Students’ Union at UWE Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill; at Sanctuary Church, Staplehill; and at Henbury Leisure centre on Avonmouth Way, Henbury.
In Lydney donations can be dropped at the Forest Review office, Kings Buildings, Lydney.
In Newport donations can be dropped at the Halifax Branch at 27-29 Commercial Street or Martial Arts & Fitness Centre, 135-137 Chepstow Road, Maindee.
Melin Homes: Ty’r Felin (first Melin building on the right) on Lower Mill Field is collecting in Pontypool and Market Hall Cinema is collecting in Brynmawr and Abertillery Dental Practice on 3 Somerset Street is collecting in Abertillery.
Halifax branches in the following locations are also collecting boxes, 4 Cross Street, Abergavenny; 18 The Mall, Cwmbran; 13-14 Market Square, Merthyr Tydfi; 58 Albany Road, Cardiff; 15 The Capitol, Queen Street, Cardiff; 10A and 10B Queens Arcade, Cardiff.