Colleague Volunteering - Teams4U Christmas Shoebox Appeal

We asked John Lord, our Merchandising Manager, to tell us how he has used his volunteering hours to support a cause very close to his heart.

“Until recently, my daughter Louise was a Girl Guide and each November her troupe would fill and check shoeboxes at the Evesham Warehouse of Teams4U (T4U).

They are an international relief and development charity based in Wrexham which supports vulnerable children and their families by sending them shoeboxes with practical items from toothbrushes to toys.

Boxes are sent to Cambodia, Romania, Belarus, Sierra Leone and Uganda.

The first time Louise helped out she came home so excited that the following night my wife and I went to the warehouse to see if we could lend a hand.

Teams4U visit schools, guides, scout packs etc. in September to help fill the shoeboxes for those in need.

We volunteered to help as a family and the effect it had on my kids was profound.  The care and attention they put into each box were amazing.

Now we support T4U each year and this year thanks to my volunteering hours I have helped by driving to collect boxes from pick up points across London and the Forest of Dean.

Those working for T4U team are generally retired but when a carton full of boxes can weigh up to 20 kilos, they need younger people to pull their weight. This year I have spent about 40 hours (including my 20 volunteering hours) helping the team during November, usually with my daughter in the evenings.

All around the warehouse, there are photos of kids receiving boxes and the look on their faces reminds everyone that Christmas is too often taken for granted but there is a staggering amount of poverty that affects children.

My motivation is twofold. My daughter's selfless enthusiasm really showed me how easy it is to overlook the simple things in life.  None of the charity workers in my town ask to be singled out for any praise which is very humbling.

Secondly, if I can help to send just one box filled with the most basic items to one of the children I see in the photos in the warehouse, I feel I’ve done my bit.

It’s really hard to get funding when any donated money you receive is thrown into hiring vans and delivering the boxes rather than running glossy ads or TV appeals. 

So I hope this blog helps to promote the wonderful work Teams4U does and if you’d like to help please check out their website here."

How can I get involved?

At Midcounties we give our Colleagues up to 22.5 (pro rata) paid hours to volunteer within their community. Volunteering activities can include (but not limited to) anything from gardening, painting, supporting with business plans, providing professional support, fundraising, working with schools etc.

Why don’t you get involved and find a local volunteering opportunity in your area? You can do this by yourself or as a group of Colleagues. For some opportunities please click here