Christmas Child boxes on their way from Wiltshire (From This Is Wiltshire)

Christmas Child boxes on their way from Wiltshire

7:00am Friday 25th December 2009

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Thousands of boxes of love are winging their way to needy children across Europe, thanks to generous people across the county.

Christian charity Operation Christmas Child has thanked Wiltshire people for a record response in the annual campaign to send shoeboxes full of presents to underprivileged children all over the world.

The charity’s Melksham depot has handled 33,883 shoeboxes, more than a third higher than last year’s total of 20,500, a fantastic response considering the current economic climate.

Hilary McFall, the Wiltshire co-ordinator of the appeal, said: “We have been bowled over by it all. People have been calling with boxes almost continually over the past few weeks. We are thrilled by people’s generosity.”

The shoeboxes full of presents have been donated by members of the public, schools, companies, churches and organisations from communities all over the county, including Bradford on Avon, Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Melksham, Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury.

Lorries were loaded up last week and headed out to Belarus, Liberia, Serbia and Ukraine.

Regional manager Roger Fenton said: “On behalf of Operation Christmas Child and all our volunteers, I just want to say a huge thank you to every single person who donated a shoebox this year.

“This has been a hard year for many people in Wiltshire and we are just knocked out by the fact that so many of them have put together a shoebox.

“It has such a positive effect on the child that receives it and I want everyone here to know that their gifts make a real difference.”

Mr Fenton added: “When they arrive in the destination country the shoeboxes are distributed on the basis of need by local organisations, charities and churches to children aged between two and 14, many living in orphanages, street shelters, hospitals, displaced persons camps or whose families are facing hardship due to poverty.

“The joy that the shoeboxes bring lightens their lives and the care and consideration that people here put into choosing their gifts shines through in the personal touches and in the items they send.”

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