A FEW gifts for Christmas could mean the world to disadvantaged children this year – and Rotarians in Basingstoke are trying to help.

Basingstoke Deane Rotary is launching its annual Shoebox Appeal on Saturday on the upper ground floor of Festival Place.

For just £10, Rotarians will fill a box with items to the value of £18 to go to disadvantaged children in Albania, Montenegro, Moldova and the Philippines.

Alternatively, people can fill shoeboxes themselves, and drop them off at The Gazette office in Pelton Road, Houndmills, The Bear Factory in Festival Place and The Eden Basingstoke garage on the A30 in Old Basing, to be ready for dispatch by the end of October.

The appeal needs regular sized shoeboxes with both the box and the lid covered with fancy paper and fixed with an elastic band. A pound coin will help with transport costs.

It should be labelled for boys or girls and the age for which it is suited – a baby, young child, school child or teenager. Items must be new or as good as new and should not include battery operated items, war toys, food or drink, sweets, medicines or sharp items.

Suggested items include small games, scarves, hats and gloves, soft toys, pencils and ballpoint pens with note pads, toothbrushes, soap, hairbrushes and skipping ropes.

For more information contact 01256 893210 or gareth@centuplex.co.uk.