The pupils at Wisbech Grammar School together filled 133 shoeboxes which were collected by Mrs Maggie Barwell from the Wisbech Rotary Club on Friday 6 December. At this time of year it is important to remember those families and children who are in need and what better way than to share the gift of generosity.
“I am delighted to receive the largest donation of filled shoeboxes in our club’s history! We are hugely grateful for your generosity and commitment to supporting some of Europe’s poorest and disadvantaged people. The Rotary Shoebox Scheme makes regular deliveries to Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Romania. The boxes from Wisbech Grammar School will be going out to Romania in time for Christmas and we have asked that some of the boxes go to an orphanage to bring hope to children who have no parents. Many people in Romania live in extreme poverty and do not have the day to day items that we take for granted. Children especially are affected by the lack of ordinary resources at home such as books and toys, or basic essentials such as warm clothes for winter. Life for children in Romania is harsh. Children in rural areas are particularly vulnerable; too many are forced to beg or to work making bricks in environments which are unsafe for children. Child abuse and child trafficking are rife in Romania and much more needs to be done to ensure that the rights of children are respected. For the poorest families, there is little hope of change and too many do not have proper access to education or health services. An estimated 12% of children in Romania die before their fifth birthday. Their day to day existence is bleak. So … whilst a shoe box may not seem like a gift you would necessarily want to receive, the shoe box that the pupils have filled and donated, could very well be the first box of goodies that a child or an adult has ever received. Thank you so much for your outstanding contribution to the cause and thanks also to Miss Taylor for organising the collection.” Maggie Barwell
“I am overwhelmed by the number of shoeboxes the pupils and staff have put together in such a short space of time, and I am delighted that we can play a small part in spreading some Christmas joy and happiness to people who live in extreme poverty. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the scheme this year and I am very proud that our donation is the biggest the Wisbech Rotary Club has ever received. A massive thank you also needs to go to Mrs Goates, from Eastview Equestrian Centre, who has very kindly sponsored the postage of our boxes; we are very grateful indeed for your donation.” Miss Kate Taylor (Head of 6th Form)