Recognition Express is Europe’s leading supplier of corporate recognition gifts, promotional products and embroidered clothing, including school uniforms. Keith and Rob inherited the pencils and crayons when they recently took over Recognition Express in Cheshire and have been looking for a worthwhile project to donate them to.

Operation Christmas Child is the UK’s largest children’s Christmas appeal and has been running for over 19 years. A huge army of volunteers give their time to deliver gift-filled shoeboxes to children in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Once the shoeboxes have been collected they are taken to processing centres around the country to be checked.  Recognition Express are donating their pencil and crayon packs to the processing centre located at the United Christian Broadcasting Centre in Burslam, Stoke-on-Trent.  The centre processes up to 10,000 boxes and the packs will replace items, such as food, that need to be removed from the boxes before they are dispatched.

Ian Taylor is the North West Regional Manager for Samaritan’s Purse and he is delighted with Recognition Express’ donation. He said: “When Recognition Express contacted us to see if we were interested in having the pencils we said yes immediately!  They are a perfect present to replace any unsuitable gifts that need to be taken out of the boxes. We are very grateful to Keith and Rob.”