Poignant message reveals life-changing impact of Blythswood gift given with love 30 years ago

A Romanian woman given a simple, life-changing gift 30 years ago as a vulnerable, motherless girl, is backing Blythswood Care's latest Christmas campaign with a touching message.

During a poignant visit to the charity's Evanton headquarters, Emanuela Plantenga revealed how the scent of soap when she opened the shoe box gift as an 11-year-old has never left her.

Blythswood's shoe box campaign – now in full swing for 2023 – allows supporters to send small gifts that mean the world to recipients in some of the most challenged parts of the world.

Hundreds of thousands of shoe boxes have been distributed down the years.

And revealing just how much they mean to the recipients, Emanuela spoke of the abiding memory of the scent of that soap even three decades on.

She said: "At that time we didn't have soap like that in Romania. The shoe boxes were a way that God showed me he loved me."

Elma Mackay, Blythswood’s head of fundraising, said: "Emma’s story reminds us that our Shoe Box Appeal isn’t just for Christmas.The feeling of joy, hope and love lasts a lifetime for those who receive the boxes."

Blythswood’s Shoe Box Appeal depends on the volunteers the length and breadth of the United Kingdom but especially here in the Highlands.

For information on how you can help go to www.shoeboxappeal.org, phone 01349 830777 or drop in to your nearest Blythswood shop and pick up a Shoe Box Appeal leaflet.

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