Pure has collected 622 shoeboxes filled with Christmas presents and essential items which will be distributed to children in need around the world as part of Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan’s Purse.

Not only did team members at the professional recruitment agency fill their own shoeboxes, they also ordered extra shoeboxes from the charity and encouraged other businesses across the Eastern region to get involved.

Joseph O’Sullivan, Manager of Pure’s Norwich Office, where the campaign was launched, explained: “At Pure we pride ourselves on supporting our local community and charity initiatives like this. As well as filling up shoe boxes ourselves, we decided to make it as easy as possible for other local people to get involved. We set up our offices as easy, central points for people to pick up or drop off shoeboxes, and arranged for members of our team to collect the boxes where needed.

Paul Sheldrake, Manager of Pure’s Ipswich Office, which supported the initiative as part of the #IpswichBig10 anniversary campaign, added: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the support we’ve received and have collected far more boxes than we ever could have hoped for. They may only be small, but they will have a big impact by providing gifts and much-needed items to children who may not receive anything else this Christmas.” 

Each shoebox is filled with Christmas gifts, selected to suit a boy or a girl within age categories ranging from two to fourteen. They have also been packed with essential items such as hygiene products and school supplies. All 622 shoeboxes have now been passed to Samaritan’s Purse which will deliver them to children around the world this Christmas, including communities in need in countries across Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.