SCHOOLCHILDREN from Four Marks and Medstead have just finished putting together packages of Christmas gifts for less fortunate children in other parts of the world.

Their task was to fill a shoebox with personal gifts such as toys and clothing in a project co-ordinated by Four Marks and Medstead Rotary. Also involved in the appeal were primary school pupils from Chawton.

More than 80 boxes were filled by children from the three schools, which will then be sent to brighten the Christmas of disadvantaged children in Albania, Montenegro, Moldova, and the Philippines.

It is expected that the annual Rotary Shoebox Appeal will result in 25,000 boxes being sent to these countries from Rotary clubs across central southern England.

Shoebox appeal co-ordinator Lisa Hillan was delighted with the response, saying: “The joy and pleasure these gift boxes bring to disadvantaged children in unquestionable. We’ve all seen our own children’s faces at Christmas, just imagine what these boxes will mean to children who are among the poorest in the world.

“We are really grateful to the children and the schools that have supported the appeal enthusiastically again this year.”

The boxes contain a range of gifts suitable for different age groups up to the age of 15, such as soft toys, books, games, toiletries, and writing materials.