Alice was nominated by various members of the public for her outstanding contributions to help those most in need within our community.
Alice works tirelessly for the community in many fields. She runs the year-round Shoebox appeal, particularly at Christmas and Easter, but throughout the year, providing boxes of goodies and essential supplies for those in the community most at need. Alice also volunteers for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, raising awareness and funds by speaking at schools and attending public events to get the message out. Alice also runs the community Facebook page. She is a true inspiration to all within our community and a very deserving champion.
CUCF spoke to Alice, to find out more her story. Please see her words below:
“The Shoebox Celebration Appeal started in 2020, originally named Elderly Shoebox Appeal. At the time, I started it because I thought of all the elderly people isolated due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The appeal was so successful because of the wonderful and generous donations received from the community, we gave 226 boxes to the elderly.
I thought because the appeal went so well and there is so many elderly alone in the community we should carry on and do birthday and Easter boxes. We even did platinum Jubilee boxes last year. So, in 2021 we became Shoebox Celebration Appeal.
We deliver boxes to the elderly alone in the community and clinically extremely vulnerable people of all ages. We also do pick me up boxes for the women and children in the care of Next Chapter women's refuge. We have teamed up with Ty at The Hut Mersea Island Beach Hut Hire to donate boxes to the very deserving people who attend the Platinum days to for families making memories.
Anyone is able to nominate, a friend, maybe a neighbour. We have nomination forms which you can request via email shoeboxcelebrationappeal@gmail.com or you can find them in the files section on our face book group.
We are always after donations from chocolate and Sweets to toiletries and colouring books, also children's toys too.
We have an Amazon wish list but remember you can buy local and use a drop off point in Colchester. We have a drop off point at Colchester 360- the hub as well as others around Colchester
https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/19R8HPYX740ZP?ref_=wl_share
The community is absolutely amazing at providing us with donations, as are the volunteers. We are all a piece of a puzzle, without a piece this wouldn't work.
Seeing the smiles on the recipients faces is so heartwarming, hearing the stories that they tell are emotional”.
Please see above Alice’s flyer with the information on it about how you can help the Shoebox Celebration Appeal.
Unfortunately, Alice was unable to attend Colchester United’s fixture against Tranmere on the 25th March. She will though be attending on Saturday 22nd April for the game against Sutton United to receive her award.
Well done Alice. If you know anyone who you feel should be a community champion, please email CUCF@colchesterunited.net with details about the person and how we can get in contact.