Charity helping vulnerable people in the Warwick district is appealing for community to support its Christmas shoebox appeal

Helping Hands, which is based in Leamington, works to support those facing homelessness, hardship and isolation across Warwick, Leamington and Kenilworth.

The charity also provides much-needed help through a soup kitchen, skills training and its ‘House2Home’ service, which provides household items that the tenants could not afford to buy themselves.

Once again, the charity is running its annual Christmas shoebox appeal to help spread some festive cheers to those in need.

This year, Helping Hands is hoping to get around 1,000 due to the amount of requests it has received.

A spokesperson from Helping Hands said: “Helping Hands Community Project is running its annual shoebox appeal and we have a huge volume of requests each year.

“Last year we gave out over 750 shoeboxes to local vulnerable adults, families facing hardship and poverty, refuges, hostels, supported accommodation and temporary accommodation and the homeless.

“Our requests for this year are nearer to the 1,000 mark.

"We cannot do it without you.”

This year, the team at the Morrisons supermarket in Leamington is also helping the charity through its annual ‘operation snowfall’

Customers who would like to get involved just need to pick up a designated bag instore, which has ages on the side.

Then fill the bag up with items relevant to the age chosen and bring it back to shop.

Helping Hands have also announced that two pubs have signed up to be donation drop off points for the shoebox appeal.

Full shoeboxes can be dropped off at The Greyhound in Kennedy Square in Leamington and The Great Western pub in Bishops Itchington.

What helping hands are looking for in the boxes

The charity has put together a list of items they specifically need for the shoebox appeal these are:

• toothpaste
• socks
• gloves
• hats
• scarfs
• shampoo
• soap
• body wash
• creams
• facemask
• hairbrush
• comb
• deodorant
• chocolates
• sweets
• coffee/meal vouchers
• notepads and pens
• gifts for teenagers

Deadline and drop offs

The deadline for shoeboxes is December 1.

For possible donations outside of this time contact the charity.

To register a shoebox or donate one go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shoebox-appeal-2025-tickets-1738346072899

The lids of the shoeboxes should separate from the box and and attached with an elastic band. Each box should also be marked if it is for a male or a female.

As well as the pub drop off points, donations can also be made to the Helping Hands charity shop in Oxford Street and the charity’s headquarters in Althorpe Street.

For more information go to: http://helpinghandscharity.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/HelpingHandsCommunityProject