A MONUMENTAL task lay ahead for a Vale woman whose dedication to the Christmas shoe box appeal saw her wrap 12,300 boxes last year ready to be filled with gifts for under-privileged children.

This year Barbara Pearson from Charlton, near Pershore, has already wrapped more than10,000 shoe boxes so far, each with Christmas or designer paper on them and is now working towards surpassing per previous record.

Mrs Pearson had a three-week break in August while she recuperated following surgery to have a cancerous lump removed.

Now she is back in full flow wrapping the shoe boxes again which she collects from shoe shops all over Worcestershire.

She also buys 1,000s herself as she says that she would not be able to supply the demand she wraps and sends out all over Great Britain if she did not.

She asks if anyone knows where she can get donated shoe boxes from, second hand or new, she would be very grateful to receive them.

"People come as far as Cardiff, Exmouth Leicester. Liverpool, Oxford, Bristol, Birmingham and around Worcestershire to collect boxes which are then taken to be filled up with small items of goods for the children of the Third World countries to have a one-off present.

"People have told me they don't mind filling the boxes but they do not like warping the boxes," said Mrs Pearson.

"I look forward to hearing from old and new people who would like to take part in this year’s appeal. Quaintly is no problem you can have any amount from one-off to 50, 100 or 1000s."

She would also be delighted to hear from anyone wishing to donate some money towards the boxes and wrapping paper so she can continue her work for the children.

"I would like to say a personal thank you to all the firms and people who help me by donating such things as Christmas/designer paper, rolls of clear tape. I can use up to four rolls of tape a day. I would not be able to do my job if it was not for your kindness."

Mrs Pearson can be contacted by phone on O1386 681022 or by her web site: www.shoeboxeswrappedforcharities.webs.com