Shoe box appeal set up for dogs with no home this Christmas

A man from St Agnes is asking the public to to donate gifts to animal rehoming centres this festive season, believing every dog should have the 'perfect Christmas'.

Martin Van-Evelingen has launched his first 'Doggies Christmas Shoe Box Appeal' in a bid to provide local dog rehoming centres across the Duchy with treats and essentials for its residents.

This year, many animal centres have financially suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic, with many not receiving half of the donations they got the previous year.

Some centres have also been closed due to covid and those pooches have been left waiting a long time for some normality.

"As many of you will remember, around Christmas time in school we would be asked to fill a shoe box of gifts for those children who are less fortunate than ourselves.

"This year I have launched my first 'Doggies Christmas Shoe Box Appeal'. My aim is to provide local dog rehoming centres in Cornwall with as many decorated and filled shoe boxes as possible for the Pooches.

"I know how expensive it can be to fill a whole shoe box, so if you wish to donate single items then this is also Very much appreciated, they will then be added together to make a Christmas box.

"I have called it a ‘Shoe Box’ appeal but this doesn't mean it has to be a shoebox, I will accept; filled stocking, gift bags or any sized box that you feel is suitable.

"I ask that you decorate the shoe boxes, ensuring I am able to see what's in the box.

"If you are a businesses and would like to make a donation, please do contact and I’ll be happy to arrange Collection, I will also advertise your business on our Facebook page as a thank you from us to you."

Martin Van-Evelingen, Founder, Doggies Christmas Shoe Box Appeal

Here are just some of the things people can include in their boxes:

• Toys

• Bowls

• Treats

• Harnesses

• Dog leads

• Blankets

• Dog clothing

• Food

• Items which we are being asked not to include are;

• Rawhide

• Bakers

• Anything sharp

• Out of date items

• Opened food/treats

• Due to the current pandemic, The group say it appreciates that not everyone will want to purchase items to pass on to the dog centres, and are accepting vouchers/gift cards from the following stores:

• Pets at Home

• Tescos

• Wilkos

• Morrisons

• B&M

• The Range

• If you wish to Get invovled and Wish To send Valid Vouchers/Gift Cards please send to the following address:

• Doggie Shoe Box Appeal

• Martin at Raw4Pawz

• 11a Green Lane, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 1JY

• All donations must be delivered to the dedicated Drop Of Points ONLY on or before 4th December 2020:

• Falmouth/Penryn

• Wagging tails dog grooming, Tregullow Road, Falmouth TR11 2JX

• Camborne & Redruth

• Raw4pawz, 11a Green Lane, Redruth TR15 1JY

• Plymouth-Plymstock

• No6 the Hair Lounge Plymstock, 6 Pomphlett Road, Plymouth PL9 7BL

• Launceston

• Petstop Launceston, Newport Industrial Estate, Unit 14 PL15 8EX

• Bodmin

• Cornwall Dog and Cat Food Supplies, Trevail Business Park, Unit 4, Bodmin PL31 1EU

• Plymouth- Derriford

• Persimmon Homes, 4 Cornflower Walk, Derriford Road, PL6 8EG

• Truro

• Mockingbird Mimosa Lounge, 3 Nalders Court TR1 2XH

• Penzance

• Antony Richards Property Services, 10 Market Place TR18 2JA

• St Austelll

• TBC

• Donations after this date will be accepted but not guarenteed that they will be given as Christmas gifts.

• Making donations online

You can donate from as little as £2 on the group's JustGiving page here.

The fundraiser have also put together some box filling ideas on a public Amazon Wishlist, For those who haven't used Amazon wish list before, here are some tips:

• 1) Visit the appeal's Wishlist

• 2) Browes the items on the Wish list & pick an item

• 3) Pay for your item

• 4) Amazon sends it directly to Doggies Christmas Shoe Box Appeal

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