STUDENTS in Chipping Sodbury have been filling up shoeboxes with Christmas treats to help less fortunate children.

Students and staff at Chipping Sodbury School have been collecting treats to go in the shoeboxes for the Eleanor Children’s Charitable Trust.

The trust delivers the shoeboxes to Romania as part of its Christmas Present Appeal, helping children in poverty, hospitals and in orphanages.

Students and staff have worked together to decorate the shoeboxes and fill them with sweets, toiletries, small toys, stationery and other small gifts.

Many students also wrote a short letter to the recipient of their box telling them a little about themselves.

House Co-ordinator, Jo Strange, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to collect over 180 boxes this year.

“Many of us at school have been very humbled by the fact that a new toothbrush, tube of toothpaste and bar of soap are so precious to the children in Romania who have so little.”

The trust is run by Eleanor and Frank Felton, from their home in Rangeworthy.

It encourages students and staff to decorate a shoebox with wrapping paper after choosing if they are packing the box for a boy or a girl.

Students are told they may receive a reply from their recipient but many are too poor to write.

Headteacher Gareth Millington said: “We are all overwhelmed by the way students have responded to this appeal.

“What a great message for Christmas 2014, young people are not materialistic , Christmas is not just about getting things, young people care and the spirit of Christmas is alive and well in the hearts of our young people.”