Boxes of festive cheer

St. Joseph's School, Shaw pupils collect shoe boxes for charity. In foreground are Megan Kinghorn (left), 5 and Eleanor Curley, 7.

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HUNDREDS of shoe boxes have been filled with goodies to spread Christmas cheer to some of the world’s most disadvantaged children.

Woodhouses Primary School has so far filled more than 100 shoe boxes with treats for Operation Christmas Child, organised by charity Samaritan’s Purse.

For many children it will be the first Christmas present they have ever received. Last year the charity sent 1.3million shoes boxes from the UK to children in hospitals, orphanages, camps, shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods.

The Ashton Road school takes part every year and teachers say it helps pupils realise how lucky they are and how they can think and care for others not so fortunate.

Meanwhile, St Joseph’s Primary School has also filled more than 100 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The school takes part in the cause every year and it was kick-started this year by an assembly and DVD showing children receiving their presents.

Deputy head teacher Steve Hill said: “We stress the importance of thinking and caring for others. We have had a really good response and we are very proud of the children.”

Generous workers at the Shaw-based company Logistics Operations have filled 216 boxes full of gifts to be sent to orphanages in Belarus.

This is the fourth year the company has lent a helping hand to children aged between two and 14.

Lynn Cunningham, organiser, said: “The only thing we specify is that each box contain a face cloth, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.

“When people see photos of the children they are helping, they just want to lend a hand.”