ROYAL Wootton Bassett children have revelled in the chance to play Santa Claus to poverty-stricken youngsters in Eastern Europe.

Pupils from St Bartholomew’s Primary School filled more than 100 shoeboxes with gifts of toys, toiletries and puzzles as part of a Rotary Club scheme.

Last week the goodies were handed over to the international organisation for distribution in countries like Romania, the Ukraine and Bulgaria.

Year 5/6 leader Sarah Vaughan said pupils at the 329-strong school were all fired up to fill as many boxes as they could.

“Last year we raised 72 shoeboxes and we wanted to beat that. This year it it’s about 112.

“They really wanted to do it,” she said. “Some children brought in several boxes.”

There was one potentially awkward diplomatic moment when one of the pupils questioned why Father Christmas didn’t leave presents for the needy children.

“We had to gloss over that quickly and get past it,” she said.

But for the most part the children were simply keen to help those who are less fortunate.

The project was run for Year 5 and 6 students, who wrote persuasive letters and designed posters to encourage all their schoolmates to take part.

“They learned about empathy for others, they learned about Christmas in other countries and they learned about charity,” added Mrs Vaughan.

Around 60,000 boxes or gifts are sent out every year through the Rotary Shoebox Scheme.

Launched 21 years ago by clubs in the North West, it has grown to become a national project supported by companies, schools and churches.

Gifts are distributed year round to places like orphanages, hospital and refuges, as well as being given to homeless children and the elderly in hostels.

Rotary formed a link with the International Aid Trust in 1998 to use its warehouses, transport services and contacts and a year later became involved with Hope and Homes to deliver boxes to its foster homes in Romania and the Ukraine.

Already this year deliveries have been made to people in Moldova, Croatia, Albania and the Czech Republic.

Gifts range from basic toiletries like toothpaste and soap or useful items like sewing kits, candles and pan scourers, to costume jewellery, gloves, cosmetics and baby clothes.

For more information on the scheme vist www.rotaryshoebox.org