Valentine's Day 2019: Post boxes across London give people the chance to send a letter to a lonely person

One post box on Princess Street, just off Oxford Circus
Patrick Grafton-Green10 February 2019

Little red post boxes are popping up across London in the run-up to Valentine’s Day to give people the chance to send a letter to a lonely person.

Gift company Red Letter Days has launched a campaign to help combat loneliness in the capital ahead on February 14.

Figures show one fifth of the UK’s population, nine million people, admit that they are always or often lonely.

Post boxes are also being set up in cities across the country, including Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

Cards will be delivered to people who may not otherwise receive one on Valentine’s Day.

Primary school children from Potters Bar in Hertfordshire have already made and posted cards.

One letter written by a Primary School pupil from Wroxham School in Herfordshire

Red Letter Days’ Alison Vickery, said: “For many people, Valentine’s Day is a fun and joyful occasion centring on love, affection and kindness.

“But for others, Valentine’s Day can exacerbate feelings of isolation and loneliness.

“This is why we’re encouraging members of the public to write a heartwarming message to a complete stranger this year, to help make Valentine’s Day an uplifting occasion for all.

“It only takes a minute to write a card and spread some love; so we’d be delighted to see people taking the time to get involved by sending message to somebody who might not otherwise enjoy the day.”

Daniel Patterson, from the Campaign to End Loneliness, added: "We hope that these cards can give older people a feeling that they’re a little less alone, and get to us to all think more about people who are isolated or lonely.”

The campaign is being supported by the Campaign to End Loneliness and the Salvation Army, along with WeWork, which volunteered its spaces to host the letter boxes.

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