LAST year schoolchildren, churchgoers and other members of the community in Devizes, Marlborough and Pewsey put together 2,500 shoeboxes full of presents that were distributed among underprivileged children in eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.

In total Operation Christmas Child, the initiative set up by Christian Aid charity Samaritan's Purse, sent over one million parcels of gifts to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, Iraq, Kosovo, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.

This year the charity will add Kyrgzstan and Mozambique to its list of countries.

Ursula McKinnon, the organiser of Operation Christmas Child in the Devizes, Pewsey and Marlborough area, has arranged for 33 schools in the area to put together shoeboxes of gifts for children. But there is also room for individuals and community groups to come on board as well.

She said: "At this time of year it is easy to get so bound up with our own preparations for Christmas and forget people who can barely make ends meet at any time of year."

Ian Macleod, another Operation Christmas Child volunteer visited a refugee camp at Mingechevir, in Azerbaijan. He sat down with a little boy who opened his box slowly, but showed little emotion as he sorted through it.

Mr Macleod said: "He found the car with the trailer and after a few minutes understood how to make it go forward. He opened a tube of Rolos and started to play with them in his lap, turning them over and over.

"He shuffled closer and then closer again, laying his head on my shoulder. He had not said a word and a nurse, via a translator, told me that he could not talk. For a few moments at least I could show him some love."

For gifts use an adult shoe box and decide whether it is to be for a boy or a girl and the age category.

Among the items that can be included in the parcel are a cuddly toy, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bar of soap and a flannel; a notepad, colouring book, picture books; pencils and pens; a set of crayons or felt pens; a hat, cap, gloves or scarf; a small ball or tennis ball; a puzzle or small jigsaw; for boys, a toy car, truck, passenger plane or similar item; for girls, jewellery such as clip earrings, make-up or hair accessories; a greetings card or photo of yourself; sweets.

No chocolate, crisps, biscuits or cake; war-related items like guns, clothing; glass containers, mirrors or fragile items; liquids of any kind, marbles or sharp objects, or anything of a political, racial or religious nature.

For details about how to assemble a parcel, see the leaflet available from the Gazette offices. Completed boxes can be dropped into the Gazette offices at Devizes, Chippenham and Marlborough up to the end of November. They may also be taken to Mrs McKinnon at 33 Broadleas Road, Devizes, from November 22 to 27 from 10am to 6pm, and at St Andrew's Church in Long Street, Devizes between 10am and 12.30pm on November 21.