Festive cheer is being sent in shoeboxes to help those living in poverty abroad.

More than 100 shoeboxes were packed with goodies for children in hospitals and orphanages in Eastern Europe as part of the Children in Distress charity’s Christmas campaign.

The shoeboxes, which contain items such as scarves, gloves and stationary, were sent by members of St Peter’s Church, Aldborough Hatch, Newbury Park and St Mary’s Church, Cambridgeshire.

Ron Jeffries, 79, of Spearpoint Gardens, Newbury Park, said: “We have so much at Christmas, so it is good that we are able to give to people who have very little.”

The charity was started 20 years ago by John Walmsey, the former reverend of St Laurence Church, Donington Avenue, Barkingside, after he went to Romania and saw the poverty and living conditions in the country.

Mr Jeffries said: “People from all over the country provide gifts and the shoeboxes make a difference to people that need it.”

The boxes will be collected by the charity in early November and shipped in time for Christmas.