Give back this Christmas with Team Hope’s Shoebox Appeal

Box up the joy of giving this Christmas.

Team Hope’s annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal serves as a crucial reminder about what Christmas is truly about: the importance of giving back. Now entering its 15th anniversary, this campaign continues to spread joy to children affected by poverty.

Often these shoebox gifts are the only gift that a child will receive at Christmas and so the joy that they bring is indisputable. This year Team Hope aims to send their 3 millionth Christmas shoebox from Ireland to countries across Africa and Eastern Europe

The deadline for dropping off a physical shoebox may be November 15th; however, you can donate online right up until December 23rd.

We caught up with Rebecca-Rose to chat with her about her experience as a celebrity ambassador for Team Hope.

“I’d known about the Shoebox Appeal for years and always thought it was such a lovely initiative—the idea that something so simple could bring so much joy to a child at Christmas.”

Speaking to HER Rebecca, looked back on her trip to Romania last year with Team Hope to help deliver shoeboxes, citing how that experience “changed everything” for her. 

“Seeing firsthand what those shoeboxes mean to the children and their families really opened my eyes. Since then, I’ve wanted to stay involved in any way I can, so becoming a brand ambassador for Team Hope honestly feels like such an honour.”

When asked about the trip, she said how “It was incredibly emotional” and “far more” than she could have ever prepared herself for, noting how “Seeing the poverty firsthand was heartbreaking.”

“The children we met were so grateful and full of joy, but you could also see how little they had. Even when I came home, I struggled to process it all,” she continued

Rebecca cited visiting the schools as a moment of the trip which stood out to her. In particular, she recalled meeting a young lad called Samir.

“He was such a lovely teenage boy who showed us around their abandoned village,” she said, noting how this moment was captured in a reel shared to her Instagram page.

Looking back on her encounter with Samir Reebecca said “I  teach 15–20-year-olds myself, so I think that’s why he resonated with me so much—he reminded me of the students I see every day, full of potential and personality, but growing up in such a different reality.”

“One of the Team Hope members gave him a football, and his face just lit up — it was pure magic. In that instant, all the hardship around us seemed to fade away. It was such a simple act, but the joy and gratitude in his expression said everything. 

“That moment will stay with me forever,” she concluded. 

“It feels really special. To think this campaign has been going for 15 years and has touched so many lives is amazing,” she replied when asked what it was like being a part of the 15th anniversary of Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

“Being part of it after having seen its impact first-hand makes it all the more meaningful,” noting how she feels “really proud to be involved and to help encourage others to take part in something that genuinely brings joy and hope where it’s needed most.”

Rebecca concluded by encouraging others to get involved with Team Hope: “Packing a shoebox might seem like such a small thing, but it means so much more than you realise. It’s not just about what’s inside the box; it’s about showing a child that they’re remembered, cared for, and deserving of joy. It’s such a simple act of kindness that creates a huge ripple effect of happiness.”

“It’s also a lovely way to get your own children involved,” she said, noting how it shows them “the importance of giving to others, especially during the Christmas season.”

“It really brings home what Christmas is truly about—kindness, compassion, and sharing a little bit of hope.”

Team Hope are accepting physical shoebox donations until  November 15th so you best get wrapping. For those unable to pack a shoebox you can donate one online until December 23rd. Help make a difference today and box up the gift of joy.