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Shoebox appeal’s festive milestone
Children in Kosovo with presents from Operation Christmas Child.
Christmas gift boxes have been sent to 100 million needy children.
Generous people in Bedfordshire have helped Operation Christmas Child reach this milestone.
Since 1990 Samaritan’s Purse, which runs the project, has sent gift filled shoeboxes to youngsters in more than 100 countries.
People in Bedfordshire have sent over 14,600 boxes to vulnerable children in Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Swaziland and Ukraine.
They were sent from processing centres in Biggleswade, Cambridge, Woburn and Olney.
Gordon McCann, regional manager for the east, said: “I would like to thank the volunteers at our local collection sites and all those who packed an Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift.
“For some of the children who receive these gifts this shoe box will be the first gift they have ever received.
“A simple gift, packed with love, can communicate hope to children worldwide.”
He is pleased that people have continued to pack shoeboxes despite the recession.
Simon Barrington, executive director for the UK branch of Samaritan’s Purse, praised the work of Operation Christmas Child volunteers across the country.
He said: “It’s absolutely amazing that over 6,000 volunteers have got engaged in helping us deliver these shoeboxes to countries around the world.
“Volunteers have been driving vans, processing boxes in warehouses, driving fork lift trucks and packing lorries simply because these people care about children overseas and it shows the spirit of Christmas is truly alive and well and working in every region of the country.
“It took us 23 years to reach our first 100 million but the programme is still growing and each year more children around the world are receiving gift-filled shoeboxes.
“I’m confident we can achieve the next 100 million boxes in 10 years.”
Operation Christmas Child reached its 100 millionth shoebox thanks to the combined efforts of people in the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, Austria, Finland, Germany, New Zealand and Spain.
The project began in Wrexham, Wales in 1990.
To find out more about Operation Christmas Child and how you can help in 2013 visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk or call Gordon McCann on 07917 191647.
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Weather for Biggleswade
Saturday 18 May 2013
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