Samaritan’s Purse is appealing for churches, schools, businesses and individuals across Worcestershire to help make a final push towards helping them reach their target of bringing joy and hope to one million children as part of this year’s Operation Christmas Child appeal.

After 23 years, the global efforts of Operation Christmas Child have enabled Samaritan’s Purse to reach 100 million disadvantaged children in 156 countries. The UK operation is hoping to send another one million gift-filled shoeboxes this year.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the response of the people across Worcestershire coming together to make a difference to children who live in some of the poorest of situations, some in refugee camps and orphanages, some who may never have received a gift in their whole life.

Volunteers at our warehouses and drop-off points have been tirelessly helping us get these precious gifts ready to send to some of the neediest countries around the world.

Anyone wanting to know how they can be part of this year’s Operation Christmas Child campaign should go to: www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk for instructions on how to wrap and pack shoeboxes, and where to take them, in time for the November 18 deadline.

BOB JAMES, Worcestershire area coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse