Biggin Hill & Westerham Lions Club are again combining with other Lions Clubs in the South East to send aid to Gomel in Belarus
As in previous appeals we are asking for shoeboxes (or any small strong boxes ) of goods to be donated.
Alternatively boxes of bulk items, such as clothing, toiletries, stationery, toys, books and educational materials may be donated. Additionally, bicycles, computers, musical instruments, sewing machines and knitting machines are welcome.


ITEMS NEEDED FOR SHOE BOX APPEAL 2013

All Ages

Soap & Shampoo
Bath & Shower Products
Soap Based Liquids
Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
Hair Brushes and Combs
Toilet Tissue
Scarves, Gloves, Hats, Coats,
Good Quality Clothing generally
Socks & Tights
Underwear
Household Linen
Curtains and Bedding
Costume Jewellery
All Office Stationery
Paper A4, A3, Art
Notebooks, Pads, Envelopes,
Pens, Pencils
Schoolroom Supplies
Modern working Computers,
printers, monitors, scanners.
Sewing Machines Knitting Machines
Dress-making equipment
House wares, cooking,
crockery etc.
(Electricity supply 220V AC)
Miscellaneous Items, Bicycles etc.
Musical Instruments all Types
Bulk Cleaning Materials
Bulk Sanitary Products
Bulk Washing Powder


Adults

Sanitary Wear
Roll-on Deodorants
Safety Razors
All similar products
Men’s and Women’s Clothing of all types
Warm clothing for cold winters where most
people do not have a car and have to walk,
and the temperature drops to -30C at night.
Blankets, Duvets,
sheets,
Hair Accessories Clips, Slides, Grips, Scrunches etc.
Craftsman’s Tools
Unwanted spanners,
Plumbers Tools,
Builder’s tools.
Mechanical Fitters Tools
Knitting Wool & needles
Yarn.
Material, for Upholstery & Dressmaking.
Curtains, Covers,
Bedding, Sheets,
Blankets, Duvets,


Young people
Fun versions of goods listed for All Ages.
Tee – Shirts - Tops, School Shirts etc.
Skirts
Trousers – Jeans
Warm Jackets
Curtains, Duvets,
Bedspreads, blankets etc.
Jewellery & Dressing-up
Exercise Books,
Any components of a back to school kit.
Pens, Pencils. Coloured Pencils
Toys, Puzzles & Games, Lego etc.
Cuddly Toys
Colouring Pens
Colouring Books
Small notebooks
Bicycles, Tricycles, etc.
Pushchairs & prams
Knitting Wool, & Yarn.
Gardening tools
Seeds, for Flowers and Vegetables.

PROHIBITED GOODS FOR SHOEBOX APPEAL
The following items cannot be included in shoeboxes as they are considered hazardous by shipping companies or are simply banned: flammable liquids, aerosols, perfumes, aftershave or deodorants, nail varnish, cigarette lighters, matches foodstuffs of any sort including sweets and biscuits and little treats or medical equipment, medicines including vitamins and pain killers. Also no literary books or videos.

Big Yellow Self Storage have kindly agreed to act as a collection point. Boxes may be taken to their store in Bromley between 9.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Saturday and 10am till 2pm on Sunday from now until 31st July.. (Visit www.bigyellow.co.uk/ to find the store address).

The Lions have been sending aid to Gomel for over 10 years. The items sent are those that many of us take for granted but are a luxury to the disadvantaged families and children in Gomel.

On 26th April 1986 the world's worst nuclear accident happened at Chernobyl in the Ukraine when a huge cloud of radio active dust drifted across Eastern Europe and beyond. Gomel was right in its path and a massive dose of radiation was deposited on the area. It is estimated that it could be at least 900 years before the radiation falls to a "safe" level. Very few people in the Gomel Region were totally unaffected by the nuclear fallout and many have to live with its legacy, with Leukaemia, thyroid and bone cancers, which primarily affects the children who have no choice other than to live in the environment. Additionally there are other genetic defects including sight and other health problems and it is estimated that less than 20% of all children in Belarus can be classed as healthy. It is also estimated that at least 10 million people within the whole fallout area will die young and many cannot work or bring up their families. Many families knew no other life for generations than to live and work on the land which is now so contaminated that it cannot be worked and lies barren and their family's lives are destroyed, leading to depression and further sickness.
Just 23 years on from the disaster, Gomel Region is still a relatively poor and almost forgotten part of Eastern Europe and rarely considered to be news worthy. It is left to charities like ours, who continue to care, to ensure that the plight of these people is not forgotten.

 

Anyone requiring more information on the appeal or who would like items collected can phone Neil Walker on 01959 700815