Meet an alpaca and pack a box for a child in need

That’s the unusual combination being offered by a charity this weekend at their temporary HQ in Parkgate.

The Operation Christmas Child team are inviting volunteers to join them at the Parkgate Shopping unit — between Poundstretcher and Card Factory — where they are processing and packing up boxes to be sent to children in need.

Inspired by the use of alpacas to distribute the Samaritan’s Purse donations to parts of South America, the charity has invited Tickhill Alpacas to bring some of their animals to the shopping centre from 1pm on Saturday — and is inviting shoppers and volunteers to meet them.

Rother Radio is broadcasting from the site, while Rotherham United Community Sports Trust and players from Rotherham Titans are also expected to dropp by to help out.

Members of the public can drop in without an appointment but also sign up to help process donations for a two-hour slot.

Donations are also being accepted so you can take away a shoebox to fill and return to the unit.

You can book a volunteering slot at https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ or head to the processing centre to offer your time.