Community appeal in Ashfield aims to bring festive smiles to elderly people

Many people experience Christmas alone so the Newcross Launderette Community Group will be helping to make the festive period a little bit more special by collecting shoeboxes and distributing them to people in need to show that someone cares.

This year they are asking all residents, colleagues, friends, family and customers if they will put a shoebox together full of presents that they can gift to an elderly person over the Christmas period.

These Mansfield and Ashfield businesses are offering free meals to children in need during the school holidays

The shoeboxes will be distributed to local residents, care homes and hospitals before Christmas Day.

Group organiser Kirsty Ratcliffe, said: “It feels great, that we can do something to help elderly people who are all alone, during lockdown I have seen first hand how frightened some of the elderly were, so doing this just gives some joy and letting them know they have people out there that do care.”

“I’d seen something similar on a neighbourhood watch site, and I thought this would benefit some of our customers, So I asked a friend to put up a post, but did not expect the response we have had.

“Now we are looking at helping more people than we first thought in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Huthwaite and Skegby.”

Suggested items include; puzzle books, hot chocolate, biscuits, warm socks, gloves, slippers, scarfs, hats, tins of soup, toiletries, confectionery, pens or handmade gifts but no alcohol or other age-restricted items.

Wrapped up chocolates and boxes of biscuits will also be accepted and the gender of the person the shoebox is for must be specified - this could be done by choosing gender-specific wrapping paper.

Creative community project to revitalise Ashfield and encourage positive outlook after Covid-19

Pupils at Wainwright Primary Academy, in Mansfield, have become involved in the project by making their own shoeboxes and cards that will be gifted to an elderly person within the community.

The drop off points can be found at Newcross Launderette, Lime street, Sutton-in-Ashfield and Paul Ellis autos, 2 Carnarvon Grove, Sutton-in-Ashfield as well as The Cottage, Market place, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

For more information, visit newcross launderette community shoebox appeal on Facebook or call 07960272448.