Although I often donate loose change and sponsor friends and colleagues who take part in the occasional marathon, skydive or fire walk, I have to admit that I probably don’t make a great effort when it comes to supporting charities.

Looking to do more to help others in 2009 I eagerly volunteered to join the Operation Christmas Child team as they head to the Crimea region of the Ukraine.

Last year the Samaritan’s Purse project delivered more than 250,000 shoeboxes to poor children and families in the region which is one of its biggest distribution areas.

After speaking to Angie and other volunteers at the Hampshire warehouse, where more than 50,000 shoeboxes were collected from schools and church or social groups around the south, I decided to fill my shoebox with items for a boy aged 10 to 14. Each box collected goes to a girl or boy in three age groups from two to 14, and the eldest boy group is always under subscribed so it seemed like the perfect choice.

And after an approving eye and a few tips from Angie, the shoebox is now full of felt tips, toothpaste, a yo-yo, toy cars, a wind-up torch, a hat and scarf, sweets, and the customary cuddly toy and is ready for the 1,800mile trip to the Crimea. We arrived in the coastal city of Yalta in the late evening, which has recently seen temperatures as low as minus 10C/14F during the day.

So I’m now lugging a batch of extra thick jumpers and thermals as despite the recent cold snap across Hampshire, this is considerably colder than the winters I am used to.