‘It doesn’t take much to make a child happy’: How a Caherdavin lady spreads Christmas joy

AT 88 YEARS old, Sigi Murrihy, originally from Germany and now a resident of Caherdavin Park, is spreading Christmas joy, one shoebox at a time.

For over a decade, Sigi has been part of Team Hope’s annual shoebox appeal, helping bring gifts and hope to children affected by poverty across Africa and Eastern Europe.

Sigi’s passion for the cause is deeply personal as she remembers being a seven-year-old displaced child during the final year of World War II.

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After her hometown of Freiburg was bombed in November 1944, Sigi and her mother fled to their relatives in the mountain village of Prevorst.

“I had no toys, I was very lonely and I had no friends,” she recalled. “One day my older cousins gave me an old brown paper bag. I opened it and out came a doll. And for me that was heaven.

“I remember saying to my mother, ‘We don’t have to go home anymore! I have a doll!’”

Over the years, Sigi’s contribution to the shoebox appeal has grown remarkably. “The first year I had two shoeboxes,” she said. “The second year I had four, and after that I had 64, then 124. The most I ever had was 230 shoeboxes.”

Last year, she prepared 45 boxes, and she hopes to send between 40-50 this year.

“I know that with very little, you can make great joy to somebody who practically has nothing,” said Sigi.

“I was in the slums in India, I was in Africa, and I have really seen poverty. If somebody would only pick up a shoebox and put in a few things, it doesn’t cost much at all.”

Those inspired by Sigi’s dedication can visit www.teamhope.ie to learn how they can also get involved.