In memory of Sam Shrouder

A Toybox Trustee from 2015 to 2022, Sam was the former Chief Executive of Apollo Leisure, the second largest theatre chain in the world and the Co-Founder of Wychwood Festival, Chairman of Tribe Festivals and Life President of Southport FC. For the many years Sam was a Trustee he brought life, energy, and joy to all our Board meetings. Sam would always hold the room through combining his excellent commercial acumen and humour. However, his points and comments would always return to what the vision of the meeting was - to ensure we were supporting as many street children as possible. Beyond his Trusteeship Sam supported Toybox in countless ways; from speaking on behalf of the organisation, raising money through auctions held at Sports Dinners, inviting Toybox to be a Partner of Conscience at Wychwood Festival through to mentoring our staff members. He was always looking for ways to ensure that Toybox remained true to her mission.

Sam travelled internationally to visit Toybox projects on several occasions, meeting children who spent their days sleeping on dirty mattresses on city streets and their nights walking to keep warm and out of danger. In Guatemala City on an outreach session in the middle of the night Sam met a young boy called Kevin who had fled his home during a domestic situation a few weeks previously. Kevin was overwhelmed at the reality of life on the streets but Sam spent time sitting and chatting with him, encouraging him to allow the project workers to support him. Kevin did just that, a few months later he was back living with his family. It was always a huge privilege to travel and spend time with the lovely Sam Shrouder.

Sam will be forever remembered by Team Toybox as a kind and generous man. An encourager to all he met.