Firstly, we want to say a big Thank You to everyone who donated a Shoe Box last year. Thanks to our amazing supporters we were able to distribute over 400 shoe boxes to not only all of our residents but also to hundreds of other vulnerable people living in supported housing services in Cambridgeshire.

Now in its fourth year, we are running our CHS Shoe Box Appeal again this Christmas to ensure all the young people living in our supported housing services will have a gift to open this Christmas. In previous years sadly we’ve had at least one resident who wouldn’t have received a Christmas gift had it not been for the incredible generosity of the Cambridgeshire community -that is the difference our Shoe Box Appeal makes.

This year, with the cost of living crisis hitting many, we are expecting things to be even tougher for our young people so we want to make sure all our residents have a Christmas to remember.

As with previous years we are encouraging donations of gender-neutral items so we can provide gifts to as many of our residents as possible and any surplus boxes will be distributed to other community groups and charities in Cambridgeshire who support vulnerable people in need.

What to do

1. Wrap a box with Christmas paper or use a gift bag

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 of our drop off locations6. Or make a donation and we will make up a box for you 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;

Stationary—pens, notepads, games/cards;

Gift cards—supermarket or coffee shops; Strictly no alcohol, tobacco or cash please

We have a number of drop off sites throughout Cambridgeshire

Drop offs from Monday31st October —Friday 2nd December

Cambridge

Head Office – Endurance House, Chivers Way Histon CB24 9ZR Monday –Friday 9am-12pm & 2.30pm -5pm (please avoid 12-2.30pm)

Railway House – 128 Mill Road Cambridge CB1 2BQ Monday –Friday 9am –5pm

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

Your donations really do make a huge difference to the lives of our residents and how they see themselves in the world. It is often quite emotional when the boxes are given out because our residents are so touched that a complete stranger has gone to so much trouble just for them and it makes them feel valued, so thank you.

For more information please email kristina.cairns@chsgroup.org.uk