Rosedale’s Dee wants to say a proper “Thank you!”
STAFF at Rosedale Funeral Home in Halesworth, Beccles and Bungay have been busy all year wrapping and packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, the UK’s largest children’s Christmas Appeal.
So far, more than 300 shoe boxes have been filled with toys and practical gifts, such as toothbrushes, soap and hand knitted hats and the work will continue until November 18th.
“We’ve been getting involved with this project for a few years now”, says Funeral arranger Rachel Chadbon, “and throughout the year, our staff and members of the community have brought in their shoe boxes. We have been so lucky because we have a wonderful army of knitters who make beautiful items to include in the boxes, such as mittens, hand puppets, bags and purses. People have also been extremely generous and have been donating little gifts to be included and some of the staff got together and organised a shoe box party to help with all the wrapping and packing.
This year, we’d like to invite everyone who has helped us with the appeal to come and watch the shoe boxes get loaded onto the lorry and start their journey from our funeral home in Halesworth to be hand delivered to children who need them most in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. We’re opening up the funeral home between 9.30am and 11am on Friday 25th November and will be serving hot drinks and cake as a way of thanking everyone. We’d also like everyone to be included in a group community shot depicting all the people who have been involved, whether its knitting, donating gifts or helping to wrap the boxes.”
It will also be a chance to catch up with Rosedale’s Dee Besley who has been absent from Rosedale since June, following a health scare that resulted in her undergoing two hospital procedures, and to meet Rachel, Rosedale’s new Funeral Administrator who has stepped into Dee’s shoes.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back and seeing everyone,” says Dee, “I have been overwhelmed by the flowers and cards that I have received from so many well-wishers in the town and it will be lovely to pop in and thank everyone properly, and also to introduce them all to Rachel.”
Last year Operation Christmas Child delivered over 1.2 million shoe boxes, and Rosedale are really proud to contribute to such a fantastic project. Shoe boxes can be officially delivered up until November 18th, but if you are intending to attend the thank you party, then you will be able to bring boxes with you and load them straight onto the lorry.
For more information, please contact Rachel Chadbon at Arcadia House, Market Place, Halesworth (01986) 875588.
Photo caption: Rosedale’s Dee Besley and Doug Mizon with the shoeboxes last Christmas.