Macclesfield Couple Commits to Ongoing Christmas Gift Deliveries for Ukrainian Orphans

A couple from Macclesfield, Cheshire, who fill their residence with Christmas presents and provisions destined for orphans in Ukraine, have affirmed their intention to persist with this effort even after the cessation of the war. For the last two years, Jeanette and Craig Rice have collected and transported shoeboxes brimming with gifts for children impacted by the ongoing conflict with Russia. Mrs. Rice stated, “Last year we did over 1,150 so we’re hoping this year we can beat that target.” She further elaborated on their direct involvement, saying, “We took our van went to the orphanages and delivered the shoeboxes to the children ourselves, which was a bit heartbreaking, but it was good to take them over.” Each standard box contains a variety of items, encompassing both treats and essential supplies. “We try and ask people to put stationery in, and chocolates, some toiletries, maybe even some socks,” Mrs. Rice explained. She added, “It’s getting cold over there now. So we just try and fill it with as much as possible.“Apart from the shoe boxes and things like that, we send lots of winter clothes over, lots of bedding duvets. You name it, we send it.” The couple noted that the winter season served as a potent reminder of the potential for conditions to deteriorate further for individuals already enduring hardship in Ukraine. Mr. Rice recounted, “We went over to Lviv in October and it was absolutely freezing.” The couple affirmed their commitment to dispatching Christmas shoeboxes in the years ahead. Mrs. Rice stated, “If the war has ended then there’s still going to be a lot of children that are in orphanages, so I’ll definitely be doing it again next year.”