Buckie Blythswood Shoebox Appeal Support Group

09/10/2026

Plenty time to get involved- our collection dates are 2nd to 4th November at Buckie Baptist Church hall.

For over 30 years, Blythswood has been distributing shoeboxes!

From the first lorry load of 300 shoeboxes to a total of 2.9 million, your support has helped to give essential items to some of the most disadvantaged people across Eastern Europe.

Help us continue to provide shoeboxes this year by getting involved. Whether you fill a shoebox, gift one, or pray for the appeal, we are very grateful for your support.

To learn more, go to: shoeboxappeal.org

Thank you!

06/10/2026

A shoebox containing some simple essentials and a gift can make such an impact on the recipient.

A shoebox can be a powerful reminder that even in the hardest circumstances, someone cares.

Alketa lost her father in an accident some time ago. Her mother cares for one of Alketa’s sisters who lives with disabilities and has many health problems.

Living in a low-income community in Albania, the family is financially dependent on their grandmother, who still works and tries to help them survive.

“I really liked the shoebox because of the fantastic gifts,” Alketa says. “Books, combs, socks and many necessary and fun things. I liked that the people who prepared the gift did it with joy for me. Many thanks to each person! My mother liked everything, too, because she does not have the opportunity to buy things for us.”

Thank you for filling a shoebox and spreading joy!

29/09/2026

Our collection, checking & sorting of filled shoeboxes & donations will be from 2nf to 4th of November,

Rashid may have missed out on school, but at the age of 15, he has wisdom beyond his years.

Growing up at the brick kiln where his parents work, in Punjab province, Pakistan, he says: “I must work to help my family survive.”

Every rupee counts when a family's combined earnings amount to as little as £3 per day. So, you can only imagine how much it meant to Rashid to be presented with a Box of Blessings, sponsored by Blythswood’s 2025 Shoe Box Appeal.

“The gifts are things I could never afford,” he says. “We struggle to meet even our basic needs like toothpaste, a toothbrush and warm winter essentials”. Says Rashid. “It reminds me that someone cares about young people like me.”

Many gathered to listen to a gospel message and Rashid felt encouraged as he said: "The first time in a long time, I felt that maybe God could change my life, too.”

To gift a shoebox to someone like Rashid in Pakistan, go to blythswood.org/onlineshoebox

18/09/2026

The difference a shoebox can make - leaflets are available from the Blythswood shop in Buckie. The Buckie collection is 2nd to 4th November.

Yehor received his shoebox at a Christmas event held in a bomb shelter, on the frontline city of Kherson, Ukraine.

In his box, he found a notebook and crayons. Playing football and drawing are Yehor’s two great passions. Usually, his artwork relates to his sport, but this time he had a different idea.

“The first thing he did was take out the coloured pencils and say that he wanted to draw an angel,” says Tanya, who delivered your gifts. “He wanted to give it to his neighbour, a soldier, as a Christmas gift.

“Even at his young age, Yehor understands that war brings a lot of sadness, but he also knows that a pencil in his hands can bring joy. Thank you for bringing joy to kids like Yehor – it means so much!”

16/09/2026

Always keep an eye out for box items!

We are halfway through September - have you collected items this month for our Shoe Box Appeal?

If not, don't worry! Here is our list of suggested items to collect for September:
- Small items of clothing
(underwear, socks, tights for all ages)

Thank you for getting involved in this year's Shoe Box Appeal!

09/09/2026

It’s great to have youngsters Millbank Primary School involved in the appeal!
Blythswood

P5/6 are supporting the Buckie Blythswood Shoebox Appeal. We are hoping to fill shoeboxes to spread a little joy at Christmas. All donations to be handed in by Friday 9th October.

08/09/2026

It is so humbling to be able to help someone like Claudi with a shoebox of essentials and a wee treat or gift too. Blythswood

At seven years old, Claudiu has to be one of Blythswood’s youngest shoebox distributors.

And, of course, there was one for him, too, after he had helped to hand them out in the compound where he lives with his family, in small-town western Romania.

“Claudiu is a very loving little boy, happy all the time and full of life,” says Adrian Popa who oversaw the shoebox distribution, and who also leads the work of Talita K*m, Blythswood’s after-school programme in Jimbolia.

“He thoroughly enjoys the food at TK, brushes his teeth and takes showers.” For children from such poor homes, nutrition is of first importance. And finding a toothbrush and toothpaste in their shoebox helps to reinforce the idea that oral hygiene is something for home as well as for the after-school club.

Adrian says: “Claudiu has not had a very good start in life. But a Christmas present like this tells him that someone cares, that he is worth the trouble of sending a shoebox from a far-away country.”

Thank you for supporting the Shoe Box Appeal! If you would like to get involved, go to shoeboxappeal.org

03/09/2026

This year’s check lists are now in the Blythswood Charity Shop, Buckie - so pleased that a bar of soap (or 2 or 3) is now on the essentials list!

01/09/2026

Big thanks to The Boutique Buckie for very kindly giving us their shoeboxes, much appreciated 🙌🏻
If you’ve shoeboxes pop them in to the Buckie Blythswood charity shop & some of our dedicated “wrappers” will get them nicely wrapped for the collection at the start of November.

The 2026 Shoe Box Appeal has officially launched, and we’d love for you to be part of it!

Filled with small, practical items such as toiletries, stationery and clothing, your boxes are distributed across eight different countries in Europe to those in poverty and people whose lives have been affected by conflict.

Each box is personal. Each one is an expression of care. Each one lets someone know they have not been forgotten.

Get involved today - visit shoeboxappeal.org for full details on how to take part.

Thank you for your support towards our Shoe Box Appeal!

01/09/2026

This week's prayer theme is: Thankful and Trusting

"In every age, God teaches His people to trust not in the provision itself, which leaves us longing for more, but in the Provider, who satisfies our every need." (Alistair Begg)

Give thanks for God’s faithful provision for Blythswood's work in the past which gives us confidence to pray for His provision in the future.