Council staff box clever to give local children a welcome Christmas treat

Civic Enterprise Leeds – the part of the council that provides frontline services such as catering, cleaning, school crossing patrols, passenger transport and building repairs – has once again been running its annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

During the appeal, staff across the council are encouraged to fill – either by themselves or in a team of colleagues – shoeboxes with age-appropriate small gifts.

The shoeboxes are collected by Civic Enterprise Leeds at the start of December before being distributed to schools in the city’s more disadvantaged communities.

School staff then pass on each of their allocated boxes to a pupil who they know might otherwise not have a great deal to open come Christmas morning.

Last year saw a total of 454 shoeboxes – neatly wrapped and packed with everything from toys and games to books and sweet treats – distributed to local schools.

And the 2024 appeal looks set to be even bigger and better, with nearly 500 boxes expected to be sent out to schools before they break up for the holidays.

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources, said:

“Thank you to every single person who has played a part in this year’s appeal, your generosity really does sum up the welcoming and inclusive spirit of Leeds.

“We know times are hard for many families across the city and so it’s wonderful that, together, we have been able to make a difference and add an extra bit of magic to Christmas for hundreds of children.

“The team from Civic Enterprise Leeds deserve huge praise for co-ordinating the appeal, they have worked wonders with their determination to help others and should be very proud of what they have achieved.”

This year’s appeal has received much-appreciated backing from a number of the council’s suppliers, with special thanks from the Civic Enterprise Leeds team going to Archbold Accident Repair, Archbold Car and Van, Arrow Self Drive, Bunzl, Cambridge Construction, CCS, Faun Zoeller, Ford Lookers, Haighs Bakery (Guiseley), John Rodriguez Plastering, LC Vehicle Hire, Marcher Roofing, Mitie, NRG Riverside, Puffin Packaging, SchoolGrid, Soltyre, Standard Fuel Oils, TerraClean, TPPL, VanCare and Van Solutions. There were generous contributions, too, from Meanwood Health Centre and Kirkstall’s Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School.

When choosing gifts, people were asked to, wherever possible, ‘theme’ their shoeboxes so the contents are suitable for boys or girls from a particular age group. Safeguarding checks are carried out on all the boxes before they are handed over to schools.

Anyone interested in supporting future Christmas appeals and other community-focused initiatives is asked to e-mail Liz.Roarty@leeds.gov.uk for further information.

ENDS