Δευτέρα 16 Δεκεμβρίου 2013

The “Santa Shoebox Campaign” has been organized by NEPOMAK.uk






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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