GENEROUS shoppers in Leamington have been helping make sure children in care are not forgotten this Christmas.
Community champion Alex Pearson has been running Operation Snowfall again this year. The Operation was started in 2020 when the pandemic made it hard for people to afford gifts.
Shoppers were asked to put together shoeboxes of small items for those most in need in the community.
And this year – the fourth year of the Operation – the particular focus of the shoebox appeal has been children who are in care.
Working alongside Liss Phillips from Warwickshire Care Leavers-Forum, Alex asked for shoeboxes to be filled with items suitable for four to 18-year-olds.
In total 80 shoeboxes were donated by Morrisons’ shoppers.
Alex said: “What started in 2020 during the pandemic has continued and our customers look forward to doing it. This year we have collected over 80 shoeboxes which were so lovely. Some had written cards wishing whoever would receive the present a merry Christmas. You can see a lot of thought goes into them.
“I started this in 2020 due to the fact people were struggling to afford Christmas and we were able to support with food parcels of Christmas dinner and the shoebox. Over the years we have supported the homeless, the dog kennels, vulnerable families, care homes, an orphanage in Ukraine and this year children in the care system.
“The point of this operation is that no one is left alone at Christmas.”
