Organising, collecting and knitting!

Operation Christmas Child was set up by the charity Samaritans Purse, to bring some happiness to children who are troubled by poverty and illness throughout the world. Since starting in 1990, they have put smiles on the faces of more than 60 million children – it helps the children to know that people care about them.

The way it works is that people fill ordinary shoe boxes with gifts which are delivered to children's hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods across the world. May Bowman (70), from Kincardine in Fife, first heard about the charity through her work with the Girl Guides and now volunteers throughout the year by knitting hats, collecting toys and making up toiletry bags, and checking the boxes for safety and suitability at a nearby warehouse.

May says:
“It's very important that every Christmas box is checked individually. Something like a toy gun could cause great distress to a child living in a war zone - I collect all year so that we have time to replace anything like that. When we visited Romania, I met children living in extremely upsetting conditions, yet each one went out their way to give me the best possible welcome, singing or performing in some way. I was greeted by the most beautiful people who made me realise that all my volunteering is more than worthwhile.”

“People might think that after a certain age it's impossible to make friends. I find the opposite is true! I'm fortunate to have the time to join clubs and meet new people. At 70, I feel I can finally relax, no longer worrying about what people think about me. I no longer stress over things that would have annoyed me 30 years ago.”