NEARLY 30,000 shoeboxes full of presents for underprivileged children in the former Soviet Union will leave Wiltshire in the next two weeks.

The first consignment set out from George Ward School in Melksham on Saturday, taking 21,000 boxes of toys, sweets and toiletries to children who have never received a present in their lives.

Schools, community groups and individual residents have all outdone themselves to break the record of the number of boxes sent out from the county.

Hilary McFall, the county organiser of Operation Christmas Child, said: "There are 89 pallets of boxes in the warehouseand they make a fantastic sight. There are about 21,000 shoeboxes in all."

The gifts are on their way to Odessa in the Ukraine where they will be distributed among children in orphanages there, many of whom lived on the streets for years, taking shelter in sewers and holes in the ground.

Mrs McFall said: "Many of these children have never had a present in their lives before. I was lucky enough to go to an orphanage in the Crimea last year to help distribute the boxes and the looks on the faces of the children made all the work worthwhile.

"One child said 'Is this all for me?' while another one wanted to know how long he was allowed to keep it for. When I told him it was his forever he couldn't believe it and went round the room telling all the other kids.

"They have so little, which is why making this effort to put together a shoebox full of goodies pays out a thousandfold."

Two consignments left Wiltshire on Saturday, one bound for Odessa and one for Kosovo. Mrs McFall hopes to accompany a third consignment to an unconfirmed destination in two weeks' time.

She said: "The support we have had has been overwhelming. People are still coming in with items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, toys, sweets and so on, and we have made up shoeboxes using these things."

On the charity's website, Mrs McFall describes her visit to the Crimea, particularly about her experiences at the orphanages and the wonderful feedback she had from the dedicated workers who run them.

She continues: "The other place I found unbelievable was the OCC street shelter that we have been supporting in Simferopol. Wiltshire funding has provided a washing machine, fridge-freezer, microwave oven and other furniture.

"The people in charge there are Pastor Vladimir and his wife Elena Barilo; along with Oleg, who stays and looks after the children all the time.

"They have 1,500 street children registered and they come, perhaps 50 at a time, to have a bath, have their hair cut and be given clean clothes. They are also provided with a meal and have an opportunity to do some school work.

However, this shelter does not provide overnight accommodation.

"The pastor told us that he has not been able to feed all of the children lately as he has hardly any food. Currently the children are only being fed once a week.

"It costs $1 (US) a day to feed a street child approximately 75p sterling."

The orphanages also provide feeding stations for children who live on the street, and up to 1,500 children come in each day for a bowl of cereal, a hot drink and some bread and butter.

Devizes and Pewsey have exceeded last year's 855 boxes and collected more than 2,119 boxes.

Organisor Mrs Ursula McKinnon said: ""With the help of a terrific team we collected and packed 2,119 ready for transport to Odessa.

"Thank you to all the knitters who worked so hard throughout the year.

"We are already planning for next year and would welcome any additional help to knit blankets, hats, mittens, jumpers and scarves."

Anyone who feels they can help should contact Mrs McKinnon on (01380) 726746.

For details about the destination of the shoeboxes the organisation's website can be accessed on www.melksham.org.uk/occ