Wathall’s Collect Lifeline Gifts For Children Worldwide

Derby and Ashbourne family-owned funeral directors Wathall’s have collected 615 shoeboxes of Christmas gifts, hygiene and school supplies which are now being shipped around the world to children in need.

The funeral directors have been involved with Operation Christmas Child, run by charity Samaritan’s Purse and coordinated locally by Rotary Club of Derby, for the past seven years.

They collected and stored the shoeboxes at its offices in Macklin Street, Derby, Alvaston, Borrowash and Ashbourne, and then delivered them to the charity’s local warehouse in Derby.

The business says that there had been an excellent response for the annual appeal from staff, families, schools, churches, and local businesses.

Wathall’s has been recognised for its contribution to the local community with several awards.

Managing Director Helen Wathall, the fifth generation of her family to run the business, said: “Operation Christmas Child is a simple way of putting together a box of Christmas toys and essential supplies that will be so gratefully received by a less fortunate child across the world.

“We are delighted with the response from our local communities and the boxes are now heading overseas to around 150 countries where children are affected by poverty, disease and war.

“The staff said it made them feel so honoured and what better way could there be to get in to the Christmas spirit knowing the joy that box will give to a needy child.”

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