WESTBURY people have once again shown their generosity by supporting Operation Christmas Child.
Thousands of shoeboxes filled with gifts for disadvantaged children have already been sent with around 12,000 to follow.
Donations have come in from schools, churches and groups across Westbury. Members of Westbury United Reformed Church spent a productive evening packing 40 shoeboxes for the charity.
Westbury Junior School prepared over 75 boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a suggestion from year 5 student Caitlyn, who felt that many children in other countries often don’t receive presents at Christmas and wanted to do something about it.
Mrs Francis, a teacher at the school said, “There has been a tremendous outpouring of generosity from the families at our school. The boxes are set to leave this week and the children are extremely proud of their achievements.”
Haine & Smith opticians also took part, collecting almost 100 boxes. Manager at Haine & Smith Vivienne Howse said, “We are absolutely delighted with the amount, it’s brilliant. We had to have three collections because there were so many. We’re over the moon.”
At the November meeting of the Inner Wheel Club of Westbury, International chairman, Jackie Pike, conveyed a special thanks to the members for all the Christmas shoeboxes which members had once again so generously provided. They have been taken to the district meeting for onward distribution, along with a number of teddy bears, blankets, jumpers.
Co-ordinator for Westbury and surrounding areas Steve Lloyd said, “It is going really well and we have a lot more volunteers this year. It’s great that children who wouldn’t normally receive anything at Christmas will get a present, it makes such a difference.
“We have sent around 8,000 boxes and another 12,000 are going soon.”
