Preparing for the rucksack Project Portsmouth 2014

So this year mum and I decided that we would again take part in the rucksack project, and making and giving a rucksack is indeed one of the best Christmas presents we could give.

Last year we used lots of things we had indoors; bags, blankets, jumpers and coats as well as charity shop purchases.  After the event we found loads of people who said they had items we could've used for such a good cause, so we decided that would be a good starting point for this year!

So we raided our wardrobes and cupboards again, but decided before we hit the charity shops to see what people were no longer using that we could nab!  I advertised on our notice board at work, mum talked to all the people she goes beating with at the local shoot and I joined 'Streetlife' a local website for the community (Streetlife.co.uk) and posted a plea for unwanted goods and to advertise the event.  

We had an amazing response! Three people on Streetlife gave me bag fulls of donations, from food to sleeping bags and everything in between. A lady at work gave me a posh tall flask, mums friends gave her a bag full of soup he'd purchased, and the other beaters also gave donations of bags and clothes. When my mum was over head talking about things we need to purchase, the lovely gent who gave mum the soup offered her some money.  When mum politely declined as we weren't collecting money for charity, he insisted we have £5 towards the cost of food toiletries and flasks that we needed.  What amazing people we have around us!

Mum and I set aside today for sorting and making, but in the meantime I popped in to asda and picked up toothbrushes (pack of 2 for 18p) toothpaste (25p), roll on deodorant (30p), pack of 5 thick socks (£2), packets of soups (ranging from 20p for a box of 5 to 30p a single packet) and some multi packs of choc bars (£1 for 10).  Mostly Asda items, but amazing value for money and I spent a total of £12.

Today we got everything together and began to sort!

Still sorting...

We had enough items for 8 bags altogether! 3 ladies bags, 4 men's bags and a one man and his dog bag.

There are items I still need to get, I need 6 flasks and 4 sleeping bags so I'm off on the charity shop/pound shop hunt this week! 

But here they are! 8 rucksacks complete with hats, scarves, gloves, sleeping bags, jumpers, tshirts, jeans/trousers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tins of soups, packet soups/pasta/noodles, choc bars, flasks, socks, warm coats, spoons, sanitary products for the ladies bags, deodorant, dog food, a lead and a ground sheet! We also have a large bag of left over items, boots, food, clothes and other bits and bobs that the charities will use to restock their store rooms.

So thank you, you very generous people who have helped us to be able to put together 8 rucksacks that will mean the world to a homeless person this Christmas. We are giving the best present this Christmas. Be very proud, we are xxx

TTFN, Sammy xx

Ps... I'll update when we've finished our shopping and the bags are ready to go with the slips in. 

Pps... A lady on street life posted last night that she had unwanted toiletries she had been collecting for a shoebox collection, but the people she was collecting for were not taking part this year. I sent her a msg and said I could put the items to good use, and am picking them up tomorrow to add to our bags! 

Ppps... It's not to late to join in and pledge a bag!