Volunteers at Hull Carers' Centre are filling shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child appeal.

They hope to collect more than 40 boxes of gifts to send to needy children in Eastern European countries such as Romania and Serbia.

Charity workers at Hull Carers' Centre are showing their selfless nature has no limits.

As well as providing 24-hour care for people with illnesses and disabilities they also are supporting Hull and East Yorkshire's Operation Christmas Child.

They are filling shoeboxes with gifts for poor children in countries such as Bosnia and Romania.

Ann Todd, manager of the centre in Prospect Street, has given her own Daffy Duck cuddly toy to the appeal, which is run by Christian organisation Samaritan's Purse.

She said: "We currently have 10 carers involved but are expecting a second wave of volunteers. People have been bringing in gifts for quite a while and it looks like we'll be able to fill more than 40 boxes.

"The generosity of some of our carers has been unbelievable. A lot of the people who come here have very little themselves but they are still very willing to give.

"While we have been packing the boxes we have been thinking of the children who will receive them. It is like we have adopted them in our own minds and can't wait for them to get their gifts."

The Carers' Centre supports 21,000 carers in Hull. Mrs Todd said filling the shoeboxes gave the people who use the charity something to take their minds off other troubles.

This is the first year they have been involved in the campaign, which brings the joy of Christmas to many thousands of children.

Operation Christmas Child was set up in 1990 after founder Dave Cooke saw heartbreaking television images of Romanian orphanages. The campaign has sent gifts to more than 38 million boys and girls worldwide.

The appeal in Hull and the East Riding is in its 10th successive year. To take part, wrap a shoebox in Christmas paper, fill it with gifts and take it to a drop-off point.

Ideal presents include soft toys, colouring books and boiled sweets. Please do not send chocolate, war-related items such as toy guns, or fragile gifts.

More than 38,000 shoeboxes were collected last year for young people in Romania, Russia and Serbia. Organisers have set a target of 40,000 boxes this year.

Ann Roley, volunteer at the Carers' Centre, has been filling boxes for five years. She said: "On Christmas morning I think of the boys and girls opening their gifts and it brings me so much joy.

"These shoeboxes are my best and favourite present to give. The appeal is such a beautiful thing."

Links

Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child - www.samaritanspurse.uk.com

Hull Carers' Centre - www.carerscentrehull.org.uk