Church appealing for help as part of shoe box initiative

St Peter's Church, based in Cradley, Dudley, has encouraged members of the public to take part.

People are being asked to fill up shoe boxes with essentials like toiletries and toys.

Pupils from Cradley CofE School, in Halesowen, have already generously donated shoe boxes.

The shoe boxes will then be sent to children in eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The initiative is being run by an international organisation called Samaritans Purse.

Doreen Clifton, a member of St Peter's Church, said: "You fill a shoe box with items, like toiletries, that children would like for Christmas.

"That is for children who don't have anything. The shoe boxes go to far eastern countries.

"I have been involved with organisation over the years. It started back in 1993 but I have been involved since about 1995.

"Our church has been a drop off point since 2004. Last year, the charity collected about 398,000 shoe boxes in the UK.

"These went to 10 eastern European countries, Africa, central Asia and the Middle East.

"I would urge people to take part. I think it is wonderful for the young children to get involved in.

"They can go out shopping with their mothers and buy items for [disadvantaged] children."

Usually, the church collects around 200 shoe boxes each year.

However Ms Clifton says the tally will be a lot lower this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She added: "This year we are way down. I think a lot of people don't realise that we are still doing it this year.

"A lot of people haven't got round to it."

Samaritans Purse says sweets and toothpaste is not allowed in shoe boxes.

To find out more information about the initiative, visit www.samaritans-purse.org.uk.