We were thrilled to hear from Sally Sutton who has been busy with the congregation at St Andrew’s Church in Bishopthorpe, York, filling shoeboxes for those in need in Romania.

All 130 boxes were delivered safely to Bishopthorpe Primary School for their onward journey to us, along with those packed by the school children.

Members of the congregation got together to fill and wrap lots of boxes filled with items collected over a number of weeks at a collection point in church. The church knitting ladies even knitted one child a hat! There was certainly a lot of love put into the boxes.

The pictures feature a group of young boys from one of the church families who loved packing the boxes and Sally's elderly neighbours who packed their boxes at home (with a little help). Others show church members packing on the day and the delivery of boxes to the school ready for collection.

Sally says:

"As a church, we love supporting this project. I was privileged a number of years ago to travel out to Romania with my colleague, Eddie Errington and members of the Children in Distress Charity community, to visit the centres and hospices you support. It was a powerful and humbling experience etched onto my heart and so I have a real heart for the ‘Love in a box appeal’."

We hope Sally's story inspires you to get involved by packing a shoebox with thoughtful gifts for people in Romania or by sending a donation to help towards costs.

Thank you!