Just to let everyone know that the first Shoeboxes have appeared at the warehouse.  First to arrive were from Westbourne House Pre Prep School with 219 closely followed by Davisons High School for girls with 157 boxes - double the number they did last year which is fantastic.

This came by E-Mail to us this morning 19th August.  It shows the value of a shoebox

"Dear Link Romania

Link Romania have been really fortunate to gain places in the first ever Brighton Marathon.  We have 10 spots to give to supporters who are foolish... sorry..... fit enough to want to take part in what will be an amazing event.  In return we hope that they will gain sponsorship from their friends, relatives and collegues to enable us to support our projects in Eastern Europe - so everyone wins!

Link Romania is delighted to have teamed up with Kumon Educational UK. As part of their corporate social responsibility programme, leading education provider Kumon will be encouraging their large student base to get behind the 2009 Family Shoebox Appeal to help disadvantaged people in some of the poorest parts of Eastern Europe www.kumon.co.uk

For regular supporters of the charity you will know that we put on our first challenge in September 2008 - The Carpathian Challenge.  120km in 6 days through the beautiful hills of Romania.  We also raised £35k in the process which went to funds such projects as childrens playgrounds in Albania, building a new soup kitchen in Moldova and a new house for ex-orphanage boys in Romania.