Students from St Mary's College, Southampton, and Charlton House School are joining forces once again to send boxes to Eastern Europe for Christmas.

Students and parents have responded magnificently to an appeal from Operation Christmas Child, a national charity which transports much-needed Christmas presents to deprived children.

Boys and girls from the schools are busy cramming toys and toiletries, sweets and soap, combs and chocolate into shoeboxes for girls and boys of all ages living in orphanages, children's homes and hospitals in former communist countries.

They are also asked to include a personal Christmas card and greetings to each and every child wishing them a Happy Christmas.

Not only are parents and students wrapping the boxes in brightly coloured Christmas paper, each sender paid £2 per box for the privilege! The schools have already beaten their record, set last year of 120 boxes, and have dispatched over 200 together with a donation towards transportation costs.

The students were fortunate enough to have assistance from the parishioners of St Boniface Church in Shirley, Southampton, who are also collecting and donating goods for this worthy cause. This extra help will contribute towards some of the cost of bringing Christmas cheer to orphans.

In addition to the usual packages, this year students are also being asked to collect coats and shoes which will be sent separately to orphanages and schools.

"We aim to bring a smile to the faces of the orphans of Romania and other east European countries this Christmas," said the college's Brother Peter.