Blythswood Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2025

Our local churches in Seaton, our parish and St Mary’s Primary School together donated 196 boxes, and other additional items, which was a wonderful effort and collective gesture of love from our community.

On 11 November, the boxes were were collected from St Augustine, Seaton to embark on their long journey to Kiev in Ukraine, assisted by the Royal Navy.

Here you can read the press release from Julie Dunnon, Secretary of Churches Together in Seaton. In this, Julie says…

“The gift of shoe boxes is a way of showing these people who have lost so much that they are cared for and they are not forgotten. As we see on the news, homes have been destroyed, many civilians are living with no electricity, no facilities and children are unable to go to school because there is no transport. The Blythswood video shows people receiving the shoe boxes and the amount of joy that it brings them. Some children are heard saying, ‘Where is this from?’  and other people can be heard saying, ‘Angels came and gave us such gifts’ and ‘God bless you.’  We celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas and it is important for us to listen to his words.  Matthew 25:40: ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”

A note of thanks from Allan Blake, Blythswood Care Local Representative…..

“Thank you for all the boxes that safely arrived, a fantastic effort. Thank you so much, you’ve really galvanised the churches in the area to work together well, much appreciated. It was a pleasure to be at the blessing service in Seaton on Sunday 9th November. Thank you ever so much, blessings to you all.”