PEOPLE across the Vale are preparing to help those less fortunate through Operation Christmas Child.

Every year, thousands of giftfilled shoeboxes are sent to countries where children may have never received a Christmas present.

This year, the boxes will travel to several countries, including Liberia, Bosnia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.

Organiser Bob James said: “It’s a privilege to be involved.

When you see the children on the streets it’s heart-breaking.

But you get a hug or a smile from them and you don’t have to speak the language, their response is enough to see how important it is to them.

“In Bosnia, children must have their own colouring pencils to go to school, so someone sending colouring pencils may be the difference between a child going to school or not.”

More than one million shoeboxes were sent last year and this year organisers want to send even more. With the Olympics being held next year, people are encouraged to include sporting items in this year’s shoeboxes.

Among the groups sending shoeboxes this year are children from Little Comberton Pre- School and Toddler Group.

Group chairman Alison Mackay said: “The children had great fun filling the boxes. I’m sure the fun will be matched by the children receiving them.”

People who would like to donate a shoebox can leave them at Shoezone or Stead and Simpson on Bridge Street, Evesham, Yeomans outdoor living store at Evesham Country Park or at Samaritans, Unit 4, Four Pools Shopping Centre, St Richard’s Road, Evesham.

Operation Christmas Child is holding a coffee morning at the warehouse on St Richard’s Road, on Saturday, November 12, from 10am. All shoeboxes have to be received by Friday, November 18.