CHRISTMAS boxes of goodies collected by pupils at St Francis School, in Pewsey, will soon be on their way to children in Russia.

The Pewsey preparatory school has collected more than 200 boxes, almost one per pupil, for Operation Christmas Child. They are destined for the city of Sebastopol, in the Crimea, under a scheme called the Samaritan's Purse.

A spokesman for the school said: "This is the first time that Samaritan's Purse has gone to the Crimea and the organisers are very excited."

Many of the pupils at the fee-paying private school have been touched to learn that the children who will open their Operation Christmas Child boxes have none of the luxuries that many Western children take for granted.

The school spokeswoman said: "In the city where these boxes are going the children not only live on the pavements but also under them.

"They open the manholes and climb down into the sewerage system to shelter from the bitter cold at night."

Student Georgina Kay was delighted to get a thank you note after including her name and address in her Operation Christmas Child box last year .