COWDENBEATH Rotary Club has said thanks to local primary schools for helping make their 2021 Shoebox Project a huge success.

It helped ensure that Christmas for thousands of orphans and needy families in eastern Ukraine, was brightened by the arrival and distribution of over 7,000 shoeboxes - filled with quality items of clothing, toys ,'goodies' and household essentials, to suit all ages.

Laminated certificates to local schools were presented to Cardenden, Denend, Lumphinnans, and St Ninian’s primaries, as well as the Noah's Ark Nursery, in Lochgelly, in gratitude for their generous support for the Christmas Shoebox 'drop'.

Jamieson Adie (aged 11), Ariah MacDonald (7) Chay Marshall (12), and Angel Kernaghan (12), are pictured with their certificates along with the rotary club’s International projects co-ordinator Tom Russell.

The boxes arrived in time for Christmas and the distribution was overseen by Rotary clubs in Ukraine and associate Aid Organisation Partners.

The Rotary Club of Cowdenbeath contributed 368 boxes to the total from the East of Scotland Rotary District’s combined donations.

On behalf of the Rotary Club Of Cowdenbeath, Tom Russell said: “This of course was only possible thanks to the unfailing generosity and support of our local communities - schools, families and businesses, including the Rotarians and their families.

“I must express special thanks this year to the staff, pupils and families of the Lumphinnans, Cardenden, Denend and St Ninian’s schools as well as Noah's Ark Nursery and the staff and customers of Moorelands Travel Cowdenbeath, for their generous donations and support."

He added: “Rotary Club Charity Projects - local and international - depend so much on the consistent and caring response and generosity of our local communities that always prevails and is so much appreciated."