Processing begins as thousands of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes reach Telford
Filled with small toys, toothbrushes and school supplies, thousands of these shoeboxes will soon be making their way from Shropshire to needy children all over the world.
Operation Christmas Child has been an important project for schools and community groups for nearly 30 years, and so far it's looking like 2018 is going to be another successful year for the cause.
The processing centre in Telford has already received 2,000 shoe boxes, and is hoping to beat last year's total of 5,700 by the time the work is done next week.
Elaine Udakis, Telford co-ordinator for the project, said: "It'd be great to beat last year's total – we're always trying to do so.
"We're at the time when they come in thick and fast now. We've had more than 2,000 at the moment.
"Our job is to check there's no war related toys, no chocolate in case it melts and no liquids so nothing can leak. If a box isn't full we might add a soft toy or something, they they get sealed ready for dispatch."
When the processing is done, the thousands of boxes from the processing centre will be shipped to central Asia and eastern Europe.
Elaine said it was massively important to the young people that receive the gifts.
"Our children in this country generally seem to have so much," she said.
"The children these boxes go to have never had a present in their lives. When you're a parent you realise just how many unfortunate people there are in the world.
"These people have nothing. To receive crayons and a notebook, a soft toy or a game to play is such fun for them.
"Thank you to all the people who gave shoeboxes, who donated toys to top up the boxes and to all the people working in the warehouse."
