LAST year the people of Wiltshire sent over 30,000 shoeboxes full of presents to underprivileged children.

Children in Odessa, the Ukraine, and Kosovo had a happy Christmas last year because of the work of Wiltshire volunteers from Samaritan's Purse, whose Operation Christmas Child has been bringing smiles to the faces of young refugees and orphans for over a decade.

Many schools, youth groups and individual families in the county have enjoyed the challenge of filling a shoebox, parcelling it up and delivering it to the organisers who arrange transport to places where they will bring the most joy.

Dave Cook, Samaritan's Purse overseas project manager, was at George Ward School in Melksham on Saturday to give a talk on the work of the charity and the success of the appeal.

Among the replies from lucky children last year was one from Zaharie Emanuela, who wrote: "I am very glad that someone thought of me this Christmas and sent me a beautiful present. Most of all, I thank God that there are special people in Great Britain who think about Romanians. Thank you."

Judith Whalley, of Nightingale Drive, Westbury, is a Samaritan's Purse volunteer and the local coordinator of the appeal.

She said: "It's often the first present these children have received. They are amazed people care. A lot of love comes out of the boxes."

How to pack your shoebox

1. Find an empty, medium-size adult shoe box about 12" x 7" x 5" (30 x 18 x 13 cm). Cover it in Christmas paper, but wrap the lid separately.

2. Decide whether your gift will be for a boy or girl and the age: two-four, five-nine or 10-14. Cut out the appropriate sticker from an Operation Christmas Child leaflet (available from all drop-off points), mark and stick it on the outside of the lid of your shoe box (use sticky tape if necessary).

3. Fill the shoe box with a variety of gifts using the suggestion list below as a guide. Do not wrap any items individually or overfill your box. If you wish, place a Christmas card or photograph of yourself in the box.

4. Enclose £2 or more in the envelope on the leaflet so it is visible on top of the gift items. Secure the lid to the box with an elastic band. Do not seal the box as it has to be checked prior to export.

5. Deliver your shoe box to the nearest drop-off point by November 19.

National Helpline 0870 011 2001.

Drop your box here

YOU can deliver your filled showbox to:

Melksham: Town Hall; Alldays, Pembroke Road.

Bradford on Avon: library, Bridge Street.

Chippenham: Chippenham News office; Safeway, West Cepen Way; United Reform Church, Emery Lane; library, Timber Street.

Devizes: Gazette & Herald office.

Trowbridge: Wiltshire Times office; library, Cradle Bridge.

Warminster: Roman Toyota Garage, Victoria Road.

Westbury: Coopers Country Market, Edward Street; Triton Gallery, High Street; David Mason, Edward Street.

Suggested presents for the children

Here are some ideas to help you fill your shoebox. Gifts don't have to be new but they must be clean and in good condition.

Small toys and games eg car, plane, doll, model animal, puzzle, ball, skipping rope, teddy, cuddly toy.

School supplies eg pencils, crayons, pens, ruler, eraser, exercise paper, colouring book, cartoon book, comic, picture book. (Do not send 'word' books as most children do not understand English.)

Sweets eg wrapped sweets, chocolates etc.

Toiletries eg flannel, sponge, talc, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet/make-up bag, soap. (Do not send glass items or aerosols.)

Clothing eg scarf, hat, baseball cap, gloves, tie. (Do not send other clothing maximum two of the above.)

If you wish you may also add a photograph of yourself or a Christmas card.

OCC is always short of boxes for boys and for teenagers: fashion accessories or sports items particularly welcome.

Do NOT include the following:

Stained or worn out items.

War-related items (war comics/books, toy guns, knives, toy soldiers, including Action Men).

Marbles.

Toys which depend on batteries to make them work.

Aerosols, not even deodorants.

Glass containers, mirrors, fragile objects or perfume, bubble bath or shampoo.

Foodstuffs (no biscuits or crisps).

Medicines of any kind.

Clothes (except as indicated).