Guiding groups support Operation Christmas Child

Guiding Groups support Operation Christmas Child

Members of Girguiding based at Thrum Hall, Shawclough, have been packing shoe boxes with gifts, to put smiles on the faces of needy children across the world this Christmas.

The Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, and members of the Senior Section chose to support Operation Christmas Child as their community action project.

Initially the girls (aged between five and 16) learned more about the work of Operation Christmas Child – a charity dedicated to spreading the joy of Christmas to millions of children who otherwise might not receive a gift this festive season – with a talk from a local volunteer representative of the charity.

Upon learning about the project, they decided to support the charity and quickly set to work collecting and wrapping boxes. Then with the support of friends and family, filled the boxes with a variety of gifts, school equipment, warm winter accessories such as hats and gloves, sweets, treats and cuddly toys – to spread a little love this Christmas time.

Guide Leader, Leanne Chorlton, co-ordinated and ran the project with these groups as well as her Scouting groups in Heywood. In total, the Guiding and Scouting groups collected 106 shoeboxes!

Rainbow Ava-Mae Neal, age five said: “I asked my mum if I could give my Christmas presents away, because I have everything that I need – some children don’t have that.”

Suzy Brown, a Brownie aged nine, added: “I enjoyed choosing all the gifts to put in the box, and seeing what the other Brownies gave. It makes me feel really good that someone will get a present when they think they won’t be getting anything.”

Emma Waldie, age 14, a Guide said: “I was excited to make another shoebox this year – I love getting the opportunity to help someone less fortunate and make sure everyone has a happy Christmas.”

Megan Callaghan, a member of the Senior Section, aged 16 said: “I think this project is great. Being able to make a child’s Christmas by giving them something so simple as a shoebox and some toys. It feels great to give to others – that’s what Christmas is about.”

Rainbow Leader, Kelly Newbury said: “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our girls and their families. The project has been a huge success. Thanks to all the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and Leaders, we will make a huge difference to the lives of many this Christmas.”

The group would also like to thank Wynsors World of Shoes, Rochdale for their kind support in donating all the shoeboxes used by the Scouting and Guiding groups.