Charity launches shoe box appeal >video

RESIDENTS are being urged to dig deep to help some of the world's poorest children this Christmas, despite the credit crunch.

Beverley-based Real Aid has launched its 2008 Christmas Shoe Box Appeal.

Volunteers at the charity hope people in the area will match the 3,000 shoe boxes collected last year, which contained everything from colouring books and crayons to toothbrushes.

2fmedia.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk%2fTSPlayer%2fJSON.aspx%3fid%3d13582%26embedded%3dtrue" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#C1C9E0" src="http://media.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/tsplayer/videoplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"/>

Barbara Raine, director of the charity, said: "Receiving the shoe boxes filled with gifts is beyond the youngsters' wildest dreams.

"I know times are hard in this country and people are feeling the pinch, but it is a lot worse in other parts of the world where people have nothing.

"For many of the youngsters in Sierra Leone who will be receiving this year's shoe boxes, it will be the first time they will have owned anything."

Other items that can be put in the shoe box are cards, soap, underwear, small first aid kits or small toys without batteries.

Volunteers would also appreciate a donation of £1 taped to the box to go towards the £4,000 cost to ship and distribute a 40ft container with the gifts.

As well as the launch of this year's Christmas Appeal, volunteers at the charity are celebrating a move to new premises on the outskirts of Beverley.

Real Aid, which had been based at Beverley Business Park since its inception in 2001, has now moved to Riverside Works, Hull Bridge Road, Tickton.

The charity is looking for more volunteers. To help, call (01482) 880660.