Church sends off Christmas gifts to needy children (From Gazette Series)

Church sends off Christmas gifts to needy children

4:30pm Friday 5th December 2008

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THOUSANDS of needy children in Romania will have an extra special Christmas this year thanks to a surprise in the post.

More than 11,000 shoeboxes packed with presents have been dispatched to the country’s orphanages, hospitals and children’s homes to deliver a little sparkle this festive season.

The boxes were filled with donations from people across Bristol and were packed by volunteers at St Chad’s Church in Patchway.

Yate warehouse firm Colliers CRE and Segro then loaned out space on the Beeches Industrial Estate to store the gifts.

Jenny Lippiatt, from St Chad’s Church, said: "After four weeks of dedicated commitment by over 100 volunteers, both young and old, we were able to load an arctic lorry at the Yate warehouse.

"Three of us from the Bristol area are off to Romania and Belarus to help with the distribution of the shoeboxes soon and some folks have already started talking about next year."

She said a huge thank you was owed to everyone involved in sending out the boxes.

"Knowing that many children will be aware they are not forgotten through the power of a simple shoebox gift is thanks to everyone’s giving and generosity," added Mrs Lippiatt.

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