GREAT GRANDMOTHER June Marshall has been bowled over by the response from friends and fellow-church-goers for her appeal to help fill shoe boxes full of Christmas goodies for suffering children.
Ninety-six boxes, stuffed with toys, sweets and other gifts, have been returned to her, ready to deliver some festive cheer to needy youngsters in Belarus, who have been blighted by the aftermath of the 1986 nuclear disaster in nearby Chernobyl.
"I've been taking part in the Samaritan's Purse charity shoe box appeal for 13 years now and this is the most I have ever collected," said Mrs Marshall, aged 78, of Hemming Way, Chaddesley Corbett.
"I am so thrilled that everyone at the Jubilee International Church in Kidderminster, and friends and neighbours have helped me by filling these boxes."
She added: "I have seen a DVD of children who have been through so much, receiving the shoe boxes in the past. It was lovely to watch the look on their faces when they saw what was in their box."
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