A VOLUNTEER has returned from a "heartwarming" trip to hand out gift-filled shoeboxes to impoverished children in Romania.

Paul Jeanes, of the charity Teams4u, was one of many volunteers who travelled from Evesham to eastern Europe at Christmas to give out almost 19,000 gift boxes to needy youngsters.

Over a two-month campaign, Teams4u were inundated with shoeboxes from schools, churches and community groups at its warehouse in Davies Road.

Volunteers packed all the boxes into a lorry which arrived in Oradea - north western Romania - two days before the volunteers, who then spent a fortnight handing the gifts out.

Paul Jeanes, who volunteers for Teams4u, said: "Giving our presents to the kids in Romania is one of the most heart-warming things we have done.

"Not only does it bring excitement and a smile to the child but also to the parents, who is some cases have never been able to give their kids such presents due to the conditions they live in.

"Without a doubt we will be running the campaign again this year and hope more schools, churches and other groups will join in to make a difference in a child’s life in Eastern Europe."

Among the people the volunteers visited were school children, youngsters living in gypsy villages and on the streets.

Shoeboxes were also given out to underprivileged children living in Belarus.

And Teams4u is already planning how it can collect even more shoeboxes this year.

Mr Jeanes said: "We are so thankful to the local support we have been given from organisations and businesses who have helped with the loan of equipment and premises down to the schools and individuals who have made up and donated a shoebox.

"With this amazing support we managed to collect locally nearly 19,000 shoeboxes. That’s a lot of smiles!"

For more information about Teams4u, visit its Facebook page or email teams4uevesham@gmail.com