Last-minute plea for charity Christmas gifts

The official deadline for contributions to Operation Christmas Child, whch hands over gift-filled shoeboxes to needy youngsters, has now passed.

But the charity team behind the scheme are urging people to go online and fill a virtual shoebox with much-needed gifts.

Jane Simmonds, Operation Christmas Child regional manager for South Yorkshire, said: “It’s not too late to donate a gift-filled shoebox for this year’s campaign.

“While the last date for donors to hand in an actual gift-filled shoebox has gone, we can now enable people to complete one online right up to Christmas.

“We have launched an innovative website called Shoebox World that allows anyone who still wants to donate a shoebox to do so by going onlin.

“Visitors choose from a selection of toys, education supplies, hygiene accessories and other play items which our volunteers then make up into a shoebox before sending it for distribution overseas to vulnerable children aged two to 14.

“A personalised message and photo can also be added.”

Online shoeboxes can be created from £11 and Shoebox World will be taking orders from anyone living in the UK, or those with UK credit cards living abroad, up to and including Christmas Day.

Visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/shoeboxworld to put together your own virtual shoebox.