This February the Walnuts Shopping Centre needs your help as the Centre is taking part in the Operation Shoe Box appeal!  Shoppers are being asked to fill a shoe box with everyday items such as deodorant, sweets, razors and wet wipes*. The boxes will then be sent to the UK’s service men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Operation Shoe Box is an organisation that encourages people to fill shoe boxes with a range of useful and everyday items that mean a great deal to the troops, some of whom have been away for months and are missing basic items that people in the UK take for granted. This year Operation Shoe Box also need to raise £5,000 in order to purchase a container that will be used to ship boxes out to troops.  Therefore shoppers are also being asked to ensure that they tape a £2 donation to the outside of each box upon donation.

The Walnuts has set itself a target of 200 boxes by Sunday 21^st February when the campaign will end.  Centre Manager, Martin Price, commented: “Operation Shoe Box is a fantastic organisation working for a really great cause.  I’m sure that with the help of local people we can reach and even exceed our target.  People can also include a personal message in their box which will help boost morale and make even more a difference to the recipient.”

Ian Whiteway, Founder of Operation Shoe Box, said: “I’m sure lots of people will be keen to help our troops at a time when they are far from home and engaged in difficult tasks in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It would be nice if as many people as possible filled a shoe box to help bring a little cheer to our troops and importantly, let them know that back home in Britain we are thinking of them.” 

Standard size shoe boxes can be donated to Karen Smith at The Walnuts Shopping Centre via the Centre Management suite, this is also the drop off point for filled shoe boxes.  So why not give ‘Love in a Box’ and put a smile on someone’s face who is thousands of miles away this Valentines Day? 

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Operation Shoe Box now at Swan Walk. HORSHAM

From today Swan Walk will be hosting an Operation Shoebox Collection point in the centre.

“We are delighted to be able to support Operation Shoebox and feel sure that our customers will be keen to show their support to British troops at war and away from home this Christmas,”, said Gill Buchanan, Centre Manager. “Whether customers plan ahead and fill a shoe box to drop off or just add a couple of things to their regular shopping while they are in the town, donating could not be easier.”

Operation Shoebox (www.operationshoebox.co.uk) is a voluntary organization set up to support troops deployed abroad (currently supporting those serving in Afghanistan) by filling shoeboxes with essential supplies to help troops on the frontline and also to let them know that people back home are thinking of them. 

Shoeboxes filled with essential supplies are sent to troops deployed abroad throughout the year but November/December is one of the busiest times.  The cut-off date for Christmas shoeboxes to be sent to our troops is 27th November this year and the collection point will be in Swan Walk until that time

Customers are asked to donate basic items as such as deodorant, shampoo, Vaseline, cotton sports socks, tea/coffee sachets, soups, CD's, sweets, cereal, dried fruit bags which can be hard to get hold of at forward operating bases.  Alternatively people can make up their own boxes with a selection of these items and include a personal message which is always really appreciated.  The shoeboxes are to weigh no more than 1.8kg-2kg.

Leaflets with the full list of items which can be donated are available at the collection point in Swan Walk or on the website