Shoebox Appeal charity launches new ‘tea party' drive
©Press Association
Children throughout Ireland are being asked to support vulnerable young people around the world by hosting a tea party in their final weeks of school.
The new initiative is marking 15 years of the charity Team Hope, which works to transform children's lives by tackling poverty and inequality in African and eastern European countries.
Best known for its Christmas Shoebox Appeal, the not-for-profit organisation has revealed that people in Ireland have donated two million euro in life-changing aid since 2010.
The Team Hope Tea Party has a 240,000 euro target to fund vital projects such as clean water, education and income-generation opportunities in countries including Kenya, Burundi, Malawi, and Rwanda, where many live on less than two US dollars a day.
The campaign, running from June 14-22, is not confined to schools.
Sports clubs, businesses and individuals across the country are all invited to take part.
Team Hope chief executive Deborah Lowry said: 'Over the past 15 years, we've not only delivered millions of Christmas Shoebox gifts but have also helped provide access to clean water, healthcare and support for communities that need it most.
'In June, we'd love if people can think beyond the box and host a tea party to help raise vital funds to support that work.
'In the five years to the end of this year, we will have improved the lives of 10,000 children in our sustainable development projects.
'The locally-based water projects in Kenya not only provide clean water to communities but also mean that girls, who previously spent hours collecting water every day, can go to school. There are multiple layers to the improvements our work makes to people's lives.'
Some of Team Hope's other projects include the creation of pineapple farms in Rwanda, an income generator allowing parents to support their families and send their children to school.
'We know that we are impacting hundreds of people in their own communities and thousands of children as a result of this work,' Ms Lowry said.
'While the shoebox appeal opens the door so we can help the poorest communities create their own future, we want to tell a different story; that these children are well loved, that they are full of hope. We are only the little seeds that helps them build a better future.'
Participants in the Team Hope Tea Party can access a digital pack of downloads, including recipes and party ideas, as well as a donation page for their individual event through teamhope.ie.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
9 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Oti Mabuse says trip to visit mothers in Cote d'Ivoire ‘brought everything home'
The 34-year-old visited a neonatal care unit in the west African country to help raise awareness of its work ahead of Soccer Aid, which raises money for Unicef, which funds the unit. Speaking after visiting the country's Abidjan capital, Mabuse said: 'Visiting Cote d'Ivoire with Unicef UK showed me the first-hand impact of the importance of vital care for children and their parents – especially for those that are born prematurely. Mabuse visited Cote d'Ivoire to see the work of the specialist clinic (Unicef/Frank Dejongh/PA) 'My own baby was born prematurely, so seeing the work and meeting mums like Ouattara (one of the mothers at the care unit) brought everything home. I know how vital that care and support is in those early days. 'Worldwide an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024 – deaths that were mostly preventable. 'I also met incredible foster carers like Madame Massandje, who are changing children's lives and helping give them the start in life they deserve. A warm cuddle against her mother's skin can be life-saving for a premature baby. 'Kangaroo care', used here at a UNICEF-supported hospital in Côte d'Ivoire, helps regulate breathing and body temperature and encourages bonding between parents and their newborn. #EveryChildAlive — UNICEF (@UNICEF) November 2, 2019 'These experiences showed me the real difference donations make. That's why I'm so proud to be part of Soccer Aid for Unicef – to help give every child a safe, healthy start in life.' Mabuse's daughter, who she shares with husband Marius Iepure, was born 10 weeks premature in 2023. Speaking of her own experience, Mabuse said: 'I remember the only way I could touch my child and have skin-on-skin was through this glass window – there's no mother who wants to experience that.' Ouattara, who Mabuse met, had seen her first baby die without access to specialised support, however her second baby, Abdul, although born prematurely again, was rushed to the centre where they stayed for three weeks to receive the care needed to allow him to live healthily. The performer, who has also served as a judge on Dancing On Ice, witnessed a Unicef programme called Kangaroo Mother Care at the unit, which promotes the importance of skin-to-skin contact, which is proven to significantly boost survival rates of babies born prematurely, according to the charity. Soccer Aid for UNICEF is back! 🏆💙 🏟️ Old Trafford, Manchester🗓️ Sunday 15th June 🎟️ Get your tickets today 🫡@ManUtd | #SoccerAid — Soccer Aid (@socceraid) March 11, 2025 According to Unicef, globally in 2024 an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns who died within the first 28 days of life. It says that in Cote D'Ivoire, lack of access to specialised care is one of the reasons that prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five. A Unicef appeal film of Oti Mabuse's trip will feature during Soccer Aid, which will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player at 6pm on Sunday, June 15. Those wishing to donate to Soccer Aid for Unicef can visit This year, every donation made to Soccer Aid for Unicef will be doubled, thanks to the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, up to £5 million.
Rhyl Journal
10 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Oti Mabuse says trip to visit mothers in Cote d'Ivoire ‘brought everything home'
The 34-year-old visited a neonatal care unit in the west African country to help raise awareness of its work ahead of Soccer Aid, which raises money for Unicef, which funds the unit. Speaking after visiting the country's Abidjan capital, Mabuse said: 'Visiting Cote d'Ivoire with Unicef UK showed me the first-hand impact of the importance of vital care for children and their parents – especially for those that are born prematurely. 'My own baby was born prematurely, so seeing the work and meeting mums like Ouattara (one of the mothers at the care unit) brought everything home. I know how vital that care and support is in those early days. 'Worldwide an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024 – deaths that were mostly preventable. 'I also met incredible foster carers like Madame Massandje, who are changing children's lives and helping give them the start in life they deserve. A warm cuddle against her mother's skin can be life-saving for a premature baby. 'Kangaroo care', used here at a UNICEF-supported hospital in Côte d'Ivoire, helps regulate breathing and body temperature and encourages bonding between parents and their newborn. #EveryChildAlive — UNICEF (@UNICEF) November 2, 2019 'These experiences showed me the real difference donations make. That's why I'm so proud to be part of Soccer Aid for Unicef – to help give every child a safe, healthy start in life.' Mabuse's daughter, who she shares with husband Marius Iepure, was born 10 weeks premature in 2023. Speaking of her own experience, Mabuse said: 'I remember the only way I could touch my child and have skin-on-skin was through this glass window – there's no mother who wants to experience that.' Ouattara, who Mabuse met, had seen her first baby die without access to specialised support, however her second baby, Abdul, although born prematurely again, was rushed to the centre where they stayed for three weeks to receive the care needed to allow him to live healthily. The performer, who has also served as a judge on Dancing On Ice, witnessed a Unicef programme called Kangaroo Mother Care at the unit, which promotes the importance of skin-to-skin contact, which is proven to significantly boost survival rates of babies born prematurely, according to the charity. Soccer Aid for UNICEF is back! 🏆💙 🏟️ Old Trafford, Manchester🗓️ Sunday 15th June 🎟️ Get your tickets today 🫡@ManUtd | #SoccerAid — Soccer Aid (@socceraid) March 11, 2025 According to Unicef, globally in 2024 an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns who died within the first 28 days of life. It says that in Cote D'Ivoire, lack of access to specialised care is one of the reasons that prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five. A Unicef appeal film of Oti Mabuse's trip will feature during Soccer Aid, which will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player at 6pm on Sunday, June 15. Those wishing to donate to Soccer Aid for Unicef can visit This year, every donation made to Soccer Aid for Unicef will be doubled, thanks to the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, up to £5 million.
South Wales Argus
10 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Nato chief says UK's defence spending plans not at odds with 5% goal
The Nato chief would not reveal the deadline for when he hopes Nato allies will reach the target as he spoke at London's Chatham House. He said he had a 'clear view' on when he thinks countries should get there but said he would keep it to himself. Countries that do not ramp up defence spending should 'learn to speak Russian', he said. Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte giving a speech at Chatham House during his visit to the UK (Yui Mok/PA) He had earlier commended the UK for plans unveiled in the strategic defence review last week as he met Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street on Monday. Mr Rutte said the UK's goals to spend 2.5% on defence from April 2027 and then aim to get to 3% over the next parliament were not at odds with his own proposed target for the bloc. He has proposed members of the bloc spend 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence as part of a strengthened investment plan for the alliance. The target would require nations to raise core defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, while the remaining 1.5% is to be made up of 'defence-related expenditure'. He said every country is 'working in cycles' and that he was 'really impressed' with the UK's plans under the strategic defence review unveiled last week. 'I've seen sometimes in the British press that there is the defence review and now there is this proposal I made about the 5%, the 3.5% core and 1.5% defence and security-related spending. 'So then people are saying 'hey there is discrepancy', I don't think there is. Why not? Because every country is working in cycles to constantly update its own defence strategy.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (left) welcomed Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte to Downing Street (Jordan Pettitt/PA) He said it was not up to him to decide how countries get there, when asked if he believed Chancellor Rachel Reeves should raise taxes to meet defence spending commitments. 'I mean, what I know is that if we want to keep our societies safe… look, if you do not do this, if you would not go to the 5%, including the 3.5% core defence spending, you could still have the National Health Service, or in other countries their health systems, the pension system, etcetera, but you had better learn to speak Russian.' The upcoming Nato summit would focus on a 'credible path' to get to the 'longer-term goal' of reaching 5%, he said. The 5% goal is not 'some figure plucked from the air', he said. 'The fact is we need a quantum leap in our defence. The fact is we must have more forces and capability to implement our defence plans in full.' While he said the 'exact details are classified', Mr Rutte said there needed to be a 400% increase in air and missile defence. He said Russia could be ready to use force against Nato within five years. 'The new generation of Russian missiles travel at many times the speed of sound. The distance between European capitals is only a matter of minutes. There is no longer east or west. There is just Nato.' As he met with Sir Keir in the White Room of No 10, he commended the Prime Minister on the 'very good stuff' in the defence review. 'It is not only about the traditional things, of course we need them, like ammunition… there is also drones, innovation, building the defence industrial base. It is really broad, it is really making a big impression in Brussels I can tell you,' he said. Sir Keir described Nato as 'the most effective military alliance the world has ever seen' (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Sir Keir called Nato the 'cornerstone of our defence' and the 'most effective military alliance the world has ever seen', adding that the task of the upcoming summit was to make sure it serves that purpose for decades to come. Sir Keir also spoke to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday and the two leaders welcomed efforts by Nato allies to step up defence spending as well as Mr Rutte's suggestions to further boost it, a Downing Street spokeswoman said. The boost to the defence budget announced last week will be confirmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her spending review on Wednesday, when she will set out the Government's priorities for the next three years.
