Time's running out

Operation Christmas Child - which aims to send shoeboxes filled with goodies to disadvantaged kids - was launched in association with international charity Samaritan's Purse in September.

There are now only 10 days to go for readers to add to the collection and help provide the world's poorest children with a gift-filled shoebox this year.

Since 1990, more than 23 million children affected by poverty, war and natural disaster have been given boxes, including 1.3 million last year.

Filling and wrapping the shoeboxes doesn't take long, or cost a fortune - but they are sure to make a huge difference to children this Christmas.

Youngsters who attend Sunday school at the Methodist Church in Kingsclere have been taking part.

Philippa Clements, who is the leader of the school, said: "The main reason we joined in is to encourage our children to appreciate what they have got, to know other children don't get a Christmas, and that some of them have nothing.

"We've seen the promotional video made by the charity for the project and it's amazing that so little means so much to some children.

"We took part in the project last year and made four or five boxes. This year we tried even harder and have made 15."

Samaritan's Purse have been picking up boxes from all kinds of groups who started their own collections, but there is still time to hand them in to the Gazette offices by Friday, November 19.

The offices, situated in Church Street in the town centre and Pelton Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke, are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Each box and its lid need to be wrapped up separately, and secured with an elastic band, to allow customs to check the contents.

They must also be accompanied by a £2 cheque, made payable to Samaritan's Purse, to cover the cost of transport and distribution.

For more information, visit www.samaritanspurse.uk.com or call 0870 011 2002.