NEW Earswick All Blacks exceeded their target for donations as part of their Christmas Shoebox appeal.

The amateur rugby league club set a target of filling 57 shoeboxes with gifts, which would see each resident of the Joseph Rowntree Lodge and Limetree House care homes receive a Christmas Day present.

The All Blacks managed to surpass their initial aim as they collected 82 shoeboxes from donations.

As well as smashing their shoebox target, there was also plenty of tinned food that had been donated and this was donated to the ‘Help Yourself Shelf’ initiative at New Earswick folk hall, for the residents of New Earswick.

The extra 25 shoeboxes were donated to vulnerable and elderly people across the City of York area.

“The Rugby League club would like to thank everyone for their generosity with plenty of players, coaches, volunteers and members donating towards the fund, as well as friends of the club with plenty of new faces from the surrounding areas dropping off a box,” said a club statement.

“It was amazing to see so many people on drop off day and we cannot express our gratitude enough.”

Kim Thompson of Limetree House said: “We were eternally grateful for the shoe boxes.

“Every resident loved what they got and it made a massive difference to their day, especially for those who don’t have family or visitors so it meant they got a gift this year too. It was such an amazing and thoughtful thing to do.”

Baz Larner of Rowntree Lodge added: “It was a total surprise to the residents and they were absolutely overjoyed.

“There were tears of joy and happiness - a huge thank you to every single person that donated, it made a real Christmas surprise.”