In the seasonal
spirit of giving, NEPOMAK.uk decided to give back to the island that inspired
their formation. The “Santa Shoebox Campaign” is a project which aimed to bring
joy to less fortunate children over the Christmas holiday.
NEPOMAK.uk, in
cooperation with Cyprus Educational Mission and the community Greek schools of
Queenswell, East Barnet, Potters Bar, Panagia and Walker, launched a festive
campaign to ask young children to donate Christmas presents for under
privileged children across Cyprus. Proof that many hands make light work, the
community’s response was exceptional. Over 300 colourfully wrapped boxes, in
all shapes and sizes, filled with treats and much needed essentials, were
collected by representatives of the organisation.
This week, these
gifts will be generously transported by Cyprus Airways, free of charge. With
the assistance of our Cyprus coordinators, Michalis Michael and Dimitris
Tampouras, these gifts will be distributed in Cyprus at orphanages and to
children receiving free school meals. Michalis Michael, President of Gimnasium
Archibishop Makarios III, Plati, Aglantzia said: “We would like to express our
deep gratitude for the generosity of the Cypriot Community of London.”
Antonia
Savvides, President of NEPOMAK.uk, said: "Every child deserves to feel the
magic of Christmas. We hope that these presents put a smile on the faces of
hundreds of children in Cyprus who Santa would not have otherwise visited this
Christmas. I'd like to thank everyone who supported and promoted this campaign
and especially the children in London for their generosity.
Special thanks
is given to Queenswell, Potters Bar, Walker, Panagia and East Barnet Greek schools
for being so generous with their donations and for hosting our collection days;
to Cyprus Airways who have kindly offered to ship the boxes to Cyprus for free;
to our Cyprus Representatives, Dimitris Tampouras and Michalis Michael; to
Maria Papalouca and the Cyprus Educational Mission for all their support; to
Doros Partasides for filming the collection date at Queenswell Greek school, to
be aired on RIK; to Tony Antoniou, the Chairman of Cyprus Airways; to Agni
Philalithes for her continued support and for donating shipment boxes; to Peter
Savvides for organising the shipment from London Heathrow; to Brian Haines, for
waiving the handling charges of the shipping at Heathrow; to Tony Ioannou,
Imagedata for donating shipment boxes; and of course the NEPOMAK.uk Santa
Shoebox team who none of this would have been possible without: Anna-Maria
Stavrou, Anthony Ladas, Joanna Papalouca, Kyri Papalouca, Chrissy Pippas,
Christos Karaolis, Pavlos Anastasi, Elena Nicola,Xenia Koumi Melina
Papadopoullou, Lily Georgiou, Mary Andrea Savvides, Constantina Petrou, George
Karaolis, Christa Savvides. Last but not least - a big thank you to every
single person who put together a box for a less fortunate child in Cyprus this
Christmas. Our outstanding result could not have been achieved without the
efforts of each and every one of you.”
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