LAST year the big-hearted people of Wiltshire sent more than 30,000 shoeboxes full of presents to underprivileged children in what used to be the second most powerful nation on earth.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 has had serious consequences for children of the countries that emerged from the wreckage of the Communist superstate and its satellites.

Children in Odessa, in the Ukraine, and in Kosovo, formerly part of Yugoslavia, had a happier 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 full of toys, sweets, crayons, colouring books, toothbrushes, soaps and other stocking fillers, then parceling it up and delivering it to the organisers who arrange transport to places where they will bring the most joy.

Donors are asked to include a photograph and letter about themselves and sometimes there is disappointment when a response is not forthcoming.

Ursula McKinnon, who organises the collection of shoeboxes in the Devizes area, explained: "Sometimes it is not so easy for the children to send a letter. Firstly, they are not used to writing letters and even when they can find pen and paper, they might not be able to afford a stamp."

But Romanian children who received shoeboxes last year have written to thank their benefactors. Zaharie Emanuela 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."

Oana Lavinia said: "Dear friends, I thank you for the beautiful things you sent in the box. I am 14 and I am in sixth form. I wish you much health in life. You are true friends. My sister, who is in eighth form, has also received nice things in her present."

Hilary McFall, the county organiser of the appeal, went to a special camp in Hungary in August organised by the charity, where she met Romanian children who needed a break from looking after disabled parents or younger siblings. The children couldn't understand why they didn't have to clean their rooms every morning and looked in amazement at the swimming pool.

Mrs McFall said: "They had never seen a swimming pool before. They just didn't understand what it was for. Now we are trying to get some paddling pools together to send them to get a bit of fun into their lives."

Operation Christmas Child is always looking for more volunteers to help co-ordinate the collection of shoeboxes. Mrs McKinnon is having a coffee morning at her home, 33 Broadleas Road, Devizes, on Saturday October 12 from 10.30am to 12.30pm for people who would like to know more about the appeal and who might like to lend a hand.

Filled shoeboxes, complete with £2 to help with transport costs, are welcome at her home from November 4 to November 22 between 10am and 6pm. Shoeboxes can also be dropped off at the Gazette and Herald offices and at branches of Kwik Fit.