'˜The most generous place in the world'

The people of Inishowen have once again responded in their droves to the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal, with 300 boxes collected in the first few days.
Ruth pictured with  children from Romania when she distributed shoeboxes following last year's appeal.Ruth pictured with  children from Romania when she distributed shoeboxes following last year's appeal.
Ruth pictured with children from Romania when she distributed shoeboxes following last year's appeal.

The Inishowen Shoebox Appeal team recently opened their collection headquarters on Buncrana’s Main Street, beside O’Flaherty’s Bar, and are “absolutely delighted” with the response so far.

They’re hoping to surpass last year’s number of collected boxes, which was 2017 and there’s still time to help them achieve it.

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There are three collection points in the peninsula: the Supervalu stores in Buncrana and Carndonagh and Serenity House, Moville. Boxes can also be left at the collection headquarters on the Main Street, before the deadline of November 16th.

The shoeboxes filled with gifts for girls and boys living in desperate poverty in Romania, will be checked, sealed and packed up to comply with customs regulations. Volunteers and drivers to collect boxes from schools and other groups are still needed. If you’re interested, contact call Ruth or Andrew on 087 256 4777 or 074 93 22622 or email [email protected].

Speaking to the Journal, Ruth said the collection of boxes is “going really, really well”.

She said: “We’ve collected 300 boxes in the first few days and we’ll be flat out, hopefully, until the deadline. We’ll have no idea until the last minute how many we have collected, but even if we beat last year’s total by one we’ll be delighted.”

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Ruth issued a “huge thank you” to the businesses acting as drop off points, as well as all those who have contributed a box and local schools, who have “been absolutely fantastic this year.” She also thanked all the volunteers who have been “so helpful.”

Ruth said the support represents the ongoing generosity demonstrated by the people of Inishowen.

She said: “I think Inishowen is the most generous place in the world. People have such good hearts and I feel so privileged to be part of it.”