Christmas shoebox appeal a great success

Domestic staff in the School of Life Sciences and the Wellcome Trust have filled more than 80 shoeboxes with items ranging from toothpaste and face cloths to toys and sweets for the Samaritan's purse charity appeal.

The shoeboxes were wrapped in Christmas paper, filled with a range of items, and then prepared for packing and postage before being sent to children in countries in need of aid.

This year the Samaritan's purse will send more than one million Christmas shoeboxes to children in 14 countries including Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Kosovo.

Phil Welsh, appeal organiser, Wellcome Trust, said, "The boxes may not be life changing but they can make a small difference to a child's life."