Whitelands Academy in Bicester, which is part of the White Horse Federation, has donated over 120 shoeboxes full of gifts to charities in a moving display of Christmas spirit.

The gifts have been donated to patients at John Radcliffe’s dementia ward, Stoke Mandeville Children’s Hospital, a local care home, the Bicester Baby Bank and a local women’s refuge shelter. The school initially set out to donate 40 shoeboxes worth of gifts to their local community, but the generosity of students and staff meant this target was quickly exceeded. The gifts in the boxes ranged from toiletries to soft toys, to scarves, colouring books, chocolates, stickers, puzzle books, slinkies and costume jewellery. The gifts have been donated by students and families and staff. The gifts have been given to different charities and organisations based on what items were needed most by each group. The gift drive itself was organised by 27 students at Whitelands Academy, who delivered an assembly about the charity effort to the school, put up posters and led donations.

Rosie, a pupil in Year 8, managed to collate 36 shoe boxes filled with gifts. She commented:

"I wanted to help people who get less than me this Christmas.  I got people from my community to donate items and I collected them and assembled the boxes for people who needed them. 
"I am happy with the number I achieved as that will help lots of different people."

Local businesses also helped with the charity effort, with Pavers in Bicester Village donating dozens of empty shoe boxes for pupils to fill with gifts. House of Cards in Kidlington also donated rolls of wrapping paper and gifts to fill the boxes.

Samantha Walkley, Assistant Principal for Inclusion at Whitelands Academy, helped organise the charity efforts. She commented:

“We are completely overwhelmed with the generosity of the local community in supporting our very first Whitelands Christmas gift.  We have been inundated with donations of items, shoeboxes and wrapping paper, as well as offers of help to wrap and pack, with people giving their time too. 
“Our students at Whitelands are very giving and enjoy the thought of giving to others that are less fortunate than themselves. They are truly inspirational young people - thank you to them and everybody that has supported Whiteland’s Christmas gift effort”.

Shoebox appeal 2025