WWN readers who would like to pack a shoebox to help bring joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world this festive season need to hurry.

Our office in High Street, Wellington, is a drop-off point for boxes in Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child campaign and the last drop-off date is Friday (November 18).

Items could include toys that children will immediately embrace – with CE label – such as dolls or stuffed toys, plus items like skipping ropes, balls, yo-yo’s, harmonicas and small puzzles.

Other items suggested include pens, pencils, crayons, solar calculators and notebooks, toothbrushes and toothpaste, bars of soap, flannels, hats, caps, gloves and scarves, sunglasses, wind-up torches and hair accessories. For more information visit www.

operationchristmaschild.org.uk