Here's what the Southam shoebox appeal team have been doing this year

A community initiative in Southam that helps spread Christmas cheer to those less fortunate has returned but will be slightly different this year.

The Southam shoebox appeal, which is organised by Nicola Taylor and a group of residents from Southam, usually sees residents in and around the town put together shoe boxes for the Southam food bank.

This year because of the Covid restrictions the team have decided not to collect shoeboxes but to collect donations to give to care and sheltered accommodation homes in the area.

Nicola said: "The Southam shoebox team have been thinking about how we can continue our Christmas appeal to help our local community.

"As this year we won't be able to collect our usual shoeboxes because of Covid restrictions we instead have joined forces with our six local care and sheltered accommodation homes in Southam and Long Itchington.

"We will be sending gifts to local residents who do not have any visitors and are facing a lonely Christmas.

"For the brilliant staff who continue to work hard to care for residents during the pandemic we will send gift vouchers.

"We are accommodating 64 residents and 250 staff members."

Since the team launched their appeal they have been overwhelmed with the donations they have received and have now collected all they need for the appeal.

Nicola said: "The local community have been amazing their donations have been just wonderful, we would also like to say a special thank you to Jean Blake who has donated £150 worth of vouchers from various local companies.

"We would also like to thank the following companies and charities for their donations:

~ International Fasteners

~ GRS Recovery

~ JJ Memorial charity

~ Carl’s Kitchen Tithe lodge

~ Floors 4 Less

~ GJF Furnishings

~ Evetts Florist

~ Napton Stores

~ GEFCO

~ Southam Community Spirit Charity

~ Bowling Green

~ Everest Fitness and Well-being centre

~ Shane’s Star Fruits

~ BLine Civil Engineering Plant Hire Haulage.

~ The Little Grift Hive

~ Miranda Bishop Reiki Practitioner

~ Our local Body Shop and Avon Cosmetics suppliers.

~ Mrs Smiths Hair Salon

~ Godwins

~ Poppy’s Plants

~ Coventry Building Society Southam Branch

~ Waitrose in Kenilworth

"All items will be delivered on December 22 so they can be quarantined before being given out for Christmas."