Link to Hope

​​All money raised from the Autumn Fair supports Link to Hope's Shoebox Appeal. It’s a really simple idea: we ask people to fill a Shoebox for a family – not just a child, containing items such as shower gel/shampoo, family games, stationery items, a gift for mum and dad as well as sweets, soft toys, hats, scarves, etc. The Family Shoeboxes of gifts are given to families who often have to make a choice between buying food or fuel at Christmas time – buying presents is just not a priority.  Many of these families do not have running water, heating or electricity.  Some live in appalling conditions, often living in just one or two rooms, and life for them is a real struggle to survive.  Our annual Family Shoebox Appeal has been running since 1992 and has delivered smiles to thousands of people in Eastern Europe over the years.  In fact, we have sent over 900,000 shoeboxes to hundreds of different locations!  We also send special shoeboxes to the elderly, containing gifts such as reading glasses, sensory items and a wind-up torch.

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We are passionate about rebuilding lives and communities in Eastern Europe through education and social care.  Link to Hope’s aim is to combat poverty and give humanitarian aid and has special concern for the most disadvantaged.  The poorest – especially people struggling to survive in poor villages that lack basic amenities.  The most vulnerable – especially children and the most marginalised.  The most exploited – the families and individuals who are at the mercy of authorities and circumstances that they have no control over.  Link to Hope’s vision is that one day every person in Eastern Europe will have a safe environment to live in and access to basic healthcare, human rights, employment and education.