KIND children and parents have been preparing Christmas gifts for people less fortunate than themselves.

Children from Haydon Wick Primary School invited their mums and dads to help them put shoeboxes together for the Samaritan’s Purse appeal.

The children wore Christmas themed clothes while creating the boxes, which will be distributed to children living in extreme poverty in eastern Europe.

Headteacher Simon Cowley said: “Every year the school collects shoe boxes for the Samaritan’s Purse Appeal but this year we thought we would do something different. We opened the school hall for parents to come in and help their children wrap shoeboxes and pack items into them ready to be sent abroad to children in need.

“We hope this will be an event for the children and their parents to remember.”

Christmas refreshments were available for children and parent helpers to enjoy in the Christmas grotto themed hall.

The Samaritan’s Purse charity distributes shoeboxes full of toys and gifts to children living in poverty.

For further details about the appeal, contact south and south west regional manager Roger Fenton, on 07900 270159.