Each year we support the charity Samaritans Purse and their project Operation Christmas Child, which sends a shoebox of presents to children who otherwise may receive nothing at Christmas.

However this year, because of the obvious logistical problems that the Coronavirus Pandemic cause, we’re doing things a little differently.

This year we are encouraging everyone to buy a Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child online at: https://shoeboxonline.samaritans-purse.org.uk/  (or just search for “Shoebox Appeal”).  By going on-line it means people do not need to make additional shopping trips to obtain gifts and boxes.

However we are aware that many still like to create a physical box for themselves.  If you did want to pack an actual Shoebox, you can take it to the ‘Entertainer’ toyshop in Reading Broad Street or to ‘Kingsmen’ in Marcus Close (off Dee Road) which is where we took them last year.

The national collection week is 9^th – 16^th November.