Christmas shoebox charity appeal inspires generosity at Southport Primary School

SCHOOL Children at a Southport Primary School have been creating charity shoeboxes as part of their Christmas charity campaign this month, with the shoeboxes going to some of the most disadvantaged children across Europe.

Pupils from Year 2 at Linaker Primary School in Southport, part of the Endeavour Learning Trust, have created over 20 charity shoeboxes as part of the Rotary Shoebox Scheme.

This project helps provide children most in need with a small parcel of gifts and essential items to bring joy this Christmas season.

Donations from pupils included items like:- toys and games, jigsaw puzzles, crayons, pens, colouring books, wooden or plastic toys, games, playdough, as well as practical items like warm clothing, hats, scarves, gloves and other cosy accessories.

The Rotary Shoebox Scheme collects and sends shoeboxes filled with gifts to disadvantaged children in Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, and Ukraine (via Poland), ensuring they receive them in time for Christmas.

Mark Cunniffe, Headteacher at Linaker, commented:- “Our charitable spirit runs deep at Linaker, and our diverse community means we have a very international outlook. Our pupils have taken to our shoebox appeal with real enthusiasm, powered by them knowing they’re making a difference to children just like themselves across Europe.”

Brits warned to avoid these hazardous DIY tricks when dealing with a blocked drain

A drainage expert has revealed the common mistakes people make when attempting to clear blocked drains that could damage their plumbing systems and cost them thousands in repair costs.

Paul Kershaw, owner of Tradefix Direct, says:- "We have found that over a 3rd of UK residents admit they don't know how to clear a blocked drain properly, often making costly mistakes that lead to expensive repair bills! These 'mistakes' can easily be avoided and we hope the following will have you save cash in 2026..."

Never use chemical drain cleaners on persistent blockages...

Tradefix Direct says:- "Chemical drain cleaners can eat away at your pipes if left sitting on stubborn blockages, even though it may sometimes seem like the logical thing to do. These harsh products might seem like a quick fix, but can cause serious damage to older plumbing systems, particularly those with cast iron or copper pipes. Always make sure to check what kind of pipes that you have so that you're not making simple mistakes that can come with a large price tag."

Talking about blocked drain, did you know wet wipes are a massive contributor to UK sewer blockages, causing around:- 93% to 94%... Don't flush wet wipes down toilets...! Tradefix Direct commented:- "A study by Water UK found wipes make up around 93% of materials causing sewer blockages. Baby wipes are among the worst offenders. These items might seem small and harmless, but they don't break down like toilet paper and quickly form stubborn masses in pipes which will require professional help to clear."

Interestinly of these wetwipes are also cost the UK water industry millions annually, as they can create costly- "fatbergs" to form and build up within our national sewage network, not just our house hold drains. this is also helping to push up water bills within the UK and has lead to a UK Government ban on plastic wipes, and a strong:- "Bin the Wipe" message for all types, as even:- "flushable" ones from being flushed. Expect to see more about this toilet issue in 2026.

If you do get a blaockage, Tradefix Direct sais you should:- "Avoid using excessive force with plungers..." The explain that:- "Many people apply too much pressure when using a plunger, which risks damaging seals or even cracking porcelain fixtures so you end up with more problems with your plumbing than you actually started with. A steady, controlled plunging motion works much better and prevents costly repairs to:- sinks, baths or toilets."

The also say we should:- "Never ignore slow draining water...!" Adding:- "Minor drainage issues rarely fix themselves. A slow drain signals the beginning of a developing problem. Tackling it early with simple methods prevents complete blockages that need professional intervention and saves money on emergency call out fees."

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