Operation Christmas Child (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Operation Christmas Child

12:30pm Thursday 5th October 2006 in News

OPERATION Christmas Child is launching its 2006 appeal to deliver gift-filled shoeboxes to needy children in Eastern Europe and Africa.

The Christian relief project delivered over 1.1 million shoeboxes to children last year, including 18,000 from Gloucestershire.

As one of the UK's biggest annual charity events, Operation Christmas Child is calling on schools, churches, organisations and individuals to build on the help that they gave last year.

Gift-filled boxes were processed at the charity's warehouse in Evesham for export to Belarus, India, Hungary, Bosnia and the Crimea.

Area co-ordinator Bob James hopes to collect even more shoeboxes this year: "We're very proud of the tremendous level of contribution that Gloucestershire communities have made over the last few years and we need to keep this great effort going because, sadly, there are many places where children are suffering from natural disasters, war and poverty. Far too many children and their families are left with nothing through no fault of their own and the simple act of giving the kids a few gifts in a shoebox has a very positive impact on them and their family.

"We give guidelines on what to put in the shoebox, how to pack it and where to send it for collection and onward transportation. All we ask is for a £2 contribution towards promotion, transport, processing and distribution."

To participate in the Operation Christmas Child visit www. samaritanspurse.uk.com or call on 0870 011 2002.