Lanarkshire locals have been thanked for their part in helping a charity hand out shoeboxes to thousands of children in Eastern Europe.
Blythswood Care’s 2024 Shoe Box Appeal has resulted in more than 85,000 boxes being sent to eight countries in Eastern Europe.
“We’re encouraged that the total is slightly up on last year,” says chief executive Jeremy Ross.
“At a time when many families are struggling to pay the bills at home, it’s testimony to how generous people can be to those in greater need.”
This year, more than a third of Blythswood’s boxes went to Ukraine, with five lorry-loads totalling over 31,000 boxes going to Ternopil, Kyiv, Uzhhorod and Odesa.
Jeremy added: “One village was occupied by Russians for several months. Less than 40 miles from currently occupied territory, there were shells in the road and homes were destroyed.
“The Russians could come again. We delivered shoeboxes to families who had returned.
“It’s hard to imagine what the children there feel when they walk through their bullet-holed gates.”
Boxes have also been sent to Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania and Serbia.
Each box is gift-wrapped and typically contains sweets, toiletries, stationery and small items of clothing, including a woolly hat.
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