Boxes of delights

Volunteers at Operation Christmas Child

More than 30,000 gift-wrapped shoeboxes, each packed with small gifts and toys, will be leaving Hull this month bound for deprived children in Eastern Europe.

The charity appeal – known as Operation Christmas Child – is supported every year by residents and businesses throughout the Hull region, and sends boxes to countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Romania and Serbia.
This year it has received a special boost from Hull City Council, which has provided free use of space within Endike Primary School for volunteers to use as a warehouse in which to sort, check and store boxes.
The warehouse is currently receiving shoeboxes from across Hull – and as far afield as Scarborough, Whitby, York and Doncaster.
"We appeal for people to fill shoeboxes with what we call the three Ws - something warm, something to wash with, something to write on - and fillers, such as small toys," says Kathy Webb, Hull area co-ordinator of Operation Christmas Child.
The appeal will receive shoeboxes until December 13. To make a donation, call Hull 853796 (weekdays between 9am and 4pm).