The Rotary Club of Narberth and Whitland has been busy collecting shoeboxes from primary schools at Narberth, Meidrim, Tavernspite and Whitland.

Rotarian Nigel Towns explained: “As the chairperson of the Foundation Committee it is my job to co-ordinate the collection of these shoeboxes.

“I have been greatly assisted by Rotarians John Sleigh, Mary Adams and Ann Jones. Over 750 boxes have been filled with presents for babies in Eastern Europe”.

The Rotary Club is very grateful to the staff, families and children of these schools for their contributions. The boxes will now be palleted and sent on their way with Frenni transport Crymych to the Preston distribution Centre of the Rotary Shoebox Scheme and then distributed to Eastern Europe in time for Christmas.

The club is grateful to John Letcher, a non-Rotarian volunteer in Moylegrove who very kindly wrapped all the boxes in Cling film for weather protection during transit.

Tony Ensom, President of The Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club, confirmed that for this annual Rotary International Appeal there is a strict timetable to fit in with the National Timetable to ensure delivery to Eastern Europe in time for Christmas.

“We have to get our shoeboxes to Cardigan by early November, they are then transported to the national depot in Preston where all the boxes from Rotary UK are sorted and repacked,” he said.

“They are then transported to Eastern Europe and then broken down again to the various humanitarian agencies for final distribution to homes, children’s homes, hospitals and women’s refuges.

“We know that all our contacts ensure that the parcels end up in the right place for the needy.”

Press officer, Rotarian Ken Morgan was pleased this month to receive a new enquiry from the lecturer of Health and Social Care in Pembrokeshire College.

The tutor confirmed that next year she hopes to encourage her students to participate in collecting and filling boxes which have to be

Ordered during Late August. She had seen the publicity that Rotarian Mary Adams advertised on Facebook and was impressed when her daughter decided that she would like to assist in the Whitland primary school.

This is very encouraging to think that next year the club may be able to target donating 1,000 boxes for such a worthwhile cause bringing a little happiness to individuals for which life is a constant struggle.

For more information about the activities and events of The Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club have a look on their facebook page.