Christmas Shoebox Appeal still going strong in Wrexham

A local charity’s annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal has been praised by Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd.

Lesley Griffiths MS is a long-time supporter of Teams4U and recently visited the charity’s headquarters on the Llay Industrial Estate.

The shoebox appeal, which was started in Wrexham by Teams4U founder, Dave Cooke over 30 years ago, provides gifts to vulnerable children and families who are unlikely to receive any presents at Christmas.

People are asked to find an old shoebox, fill it with useful gifts and Teams4U deliver the packages to some of the most disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe, many of whom have fled the war in Ukraine and are surviving in neighbouring countries.

Any gifts donated that cannot travel abroad for whatever reason are given to local schools.

Although this year’s deadline for dropping off shoeboxes has passed, monetary donations are always greatly received and Teams4U is always on the lookout for volunteers.

Lesley Griffiths MS visited the Teams4U warehouse in Llay along with Welsh Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Wrexham, Andrew Ranger.

She said: “Teams4U is a charity that is close to my heart.  At the end of last week, the third truck full of shoeboxes left Llay for Eastern Europe and the charity has now checked over 59,000 shoeboxes nationally. Incredibly, over 20,000 of these have come from the Wrexham area.

“I am so pleased this worthy cause is still going strong and the positive impact it has on the lives of vulnerable children cannot be overstated.

“Ultimately, the key reason for its prolonged success is down to the generosity of local residents and I am so pleased people in Wrexham and the surrounding areas continue to help Teams4U spread joy to children in some of the most difficult situations imaginable.”