NEEDY children in Eastern Europe will be receiving shoeboxes filled with gifts this winter thanks to a charity's Operation Christmas Child Appeal.
Last year almost 6,500 shoeboxes were filled by donors from Bolton and Bury under the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child appeal.
The charity's area co-ordinator, Ruth Jones, is encouraging individuals, schools, churches and other organisations to help improve on last year's figure.
The gifts will be received by children in countries where war, poverty, and natural disasters have left them with little or nothing.
"This is often the first time many of these children have received any sort of gift," said Ruth.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Furgusson has lent his support and is backing this year's campaign and Co-operative stores will provide more than 1,500 collection points.
It will be possible to leave gift boxes at any of these stores between November 5 and 20.
Anyone wishing to to get involved with Operation Christmas Child should contact the Helpline on 0870 011 2002.
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