With the Stories from the Sole campaign running for a few months now, hundreds of pairs of shoes have been arriving at the Merched y Wawr national office in Aberystwyth. The place is full of shoes of all shapes and sizes and staff know what shoe size most women in Wales take by now, as they busily sort the shoes into different piles, as part of a campaign organised by Merched y Wawr, the National Eisteddfod and Save the Children.
“The response has been phenomenal,” says Merched y Wawr Director, Tegwen Morris. “Shoes are arriving every day and from every corner of Wales. We’ve lost count of the cars full of shoes arriving in the office – and people arriving with trailers of shoes to support the campaign.
“Once again, Merched y Wawr members have been incredibly generous, and we are very grateful to everyone for their support. All the shoes will be taken to Wrexham for the National Eisteddfod where they will be sold in a special shop on the Maes.”
And whilst branches of Merched y Wawr across Wales have been busily collecting shoes, the Eisteddfod, Save the Children and Merched y Wawr officials have been contacting some of Wales’ leading ladies asking for a pair of shoes to be sold at an auction at the Eisteddfod in two and a half months.
National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Elfed Roberts, says, “We’ve spoken to a number of famous women in Wales asking for a pair of shoes to help us raise funds for Save the Children, and the response has been great. Stars supporting the campaign so far include Alex Jones, Angharad Mair, Caryl Parry Jones, Nia Roberts and Sian Lloyd, and they’ve all either promised or already donated a pair of shoes. They’re all on the Eisteddfod website and you can also bid online for any pair which take your fancy before the official auction.
“We are pleased to be working together to raise awareness for an important charity and for our own hundred and fiftieth celebrations.”
Jessica Evans, Save the Children’s Community Fundraiser in Wales added, “Over 8 million children under five die needlessly every year from easily preventable causes such as pneumonia, malaria and diarrhoea . Five pounds could vaccinate three children against these killer diseases whilst a pair of shoes selling for £50 we will be able to save ten lives
“Join us in stamping out these diseases by donating and buying shoes as part of our campaign.”
Merched y Wawr members saw these famous shoes in the organisation’s annual meeting and Summer Festival in Machynlleth over the weekend. They can also be seen on the Eisteddfod website – www.eisteddfod.org.uk or you can go to www.facebook.com/sodlaunsiarad.
