It is over 25 years since the Cooke family originated the idea of the Christmas Shoebox, asking children in the UK to fill shoeboxes with stocking fillers for Romanian orphans. In 2015, they celebrated the 25th Anniversary and returned to Romania and found the current need is still extraordinary and the power of the shoebox has never faded.

Flat pack shoe boxes are available at Ross Baptist Church. Steph Ray, coordinator, said: ‘‘This is a great opportunity for families to work together to create a gift for a child or family in another part of the world. Each box makes a huge difference to the life of the families who receive them. The Teams4U video http://teams4u.com/shoebox-appeal/ tells its own story.

“To change a child/families life by donating a shoebox drop into Ross Baptist Church office, The Venue, Hill Street (01989 566966) between 9am and 12 noon any weekday to pick up your flat pack shoebox. Boxes need to be returned to the office by Friday 9th November.

“Your shoebox will be given to a vulnerable child, or family, through schools, nurseries, hospitals and orphanages. The aim is that each box is given in relationship with the local community as part of a long-term commitment to these children.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.