Our Christmas 
Shoe Box Appeal is Back! 

Shipping out to the Philippines on Monday October 2nd, 2026

  • ✽

    Make it Personal

    Click on ‘send a box’ below and we will send you the details of a child. Alternatively if you sponsor a child just add their name to a the shoebox.

  • ✽

    Make it Fun

    We hope you enjoy preparing your shoebox as much as the child who receives it will. Think about adding a ‘wow’ item. Your generosity can motivate friends and family to do the same.

  • ✽

    Make it Secure

    Ensure the box you choose is sturdy. Wrap it well before you fill it. Put a large label on top with the name or age range and gender of the recipient. Secure your box with a strong elastic bank or ribbon.

For more than 25 years, Mercy in Action has been delivering Christmas shoeboxes to children across the Philippines. Christmas is the biggest and most eagerly anticipated celebration of the year in the Philippines. However millions of families face the season with very little. For children living in extreme poverty, a new toy, a notebook, a pair of socks, or even a toothbrush is a luxury they rarely get to receive.

Every shoebox is carefully packed by someone like you, who wants to make a difference. Filled with practical essentials and fun gifts.

Whether you pack a shoebox for your sponsored child or for a child on our schooling program waiting to be matched with a sponsor, you are creating a moment of pure joy and a core memory that will last long after Christmas Day.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Any standard adult shoebox shoebox is fine. They typically measures around 13 x 8 x 4.5 inches (33 x 20 x 11.5 cm). Plastic storage boxes of a similar size are also a great option.

    • Chocolate or loose sweets. This can attract pests or melt and ruin items inside the box.

    • Liquids or anything breakable (glass containers)

    • Medicines or vitamins of any kind

    • War-related toys: toy guns, knives, or anything that looks like a weapon

    • Fragile items (snow globes, glass ornaments)

    • Seeds, plants, or anything of animal/plant origin

    • Used or damaged items — everything should be new

  • No. We have no weight restrictions for our container.

  • If you do not sponsoring a specific child, please choose a gender and age range, and write it clearly on the box label:

    • Boy or Girl

    • Age 5–7

    • Age 8–10

    • Age 11–13

    • Teen 14+

  • Shoeboxes can be delivered to our warehouse in Bath:

    Mercy in Action, 11 Foxcote Avenue, Bath Business Park, Peasedown, Bath, BA2 8SF

    from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, they can be dropped off at your local MiA charity shop, but please call us ahead on 01761 439512 to arrange this, as shops have varying opening times and need time to transport items back to Bath.

    If you are collecting a large number of boxes through your school, church, or group, we can arrange to pick them up from you.

  • Item description

  • Item description

  • Please do not send cash inside your shoebox. If you would like to send money for your sponsored child, you can attach it clearly labelled to the outside of the box and we will get it to them, or make a donation online via the website and email us at schooling@mercyinaction.org.uk to let us know.

  • We suggest spending between £10–£20 on gifts for your shoebox. This is enough to fill it with a good variety of toys, hygiene items, and school supplies, without it being a financial strain. Every pound makes a real difference to a child who may otherwise go without.