STAFF at Somerset Care in Melksham have been working hard to put together a selection of shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

The care provider, which is based on the Challymead Business Park in Bradford Road, decided to take part in this year’s appeal after its business manager Jenny Futcher saw the adverts in the Wiltshire Times.

Mrs Futcher said: “This is an amazing appeal to get involved in, and we are fortunate to be able to give and receive so many gifts over Christmas. To think of children who may not get anything at all is heartbreaking.

"We hope that our gifts make some children very happy on Christmas morning.”

The team filled 14 boxes with gifts and treats to send to underprivileged children and dropped them off at Melksham Town Hall on Thursday.

“This is our Wiltshire team’s first year supporting this cause," said Mrs Futcher.

"I spotted the appeal in the Wiltshire Times and was keen to get involved. We are hoping to get more staff involved each time,” she added.

The Operation Christmas Child collection in Wiltshire officially ended on Friday (November 18).

Last year area co-ordinator Steve Lloyd and his team collected and sorted 33,000 boxes which were sent all over the world.