CHURCH fundraisers are hoping to make the Christmas wishes of Europe’s poorest children come true.

Generous worshippers at All Saints church on Southbrook Street have been collecting household goods and Christmas treats to send to poor communities in eastern Europe.

Congregation members have been collecting for Link to Hope, a charity set up in 1991 following TV images showing the shocking conditions of Romanian orphanages.

They have spent dozens of hours over the last six months collecting items like notebooks, kitchen utensils, sewing kits and pretty hair accessories to pack into gift-wrapped shoeboxes in time for Christmas.

Jo Phillips, 69, an All Saints worshipper who has helped to co-ordinate the scheme, said: “Link to Hope help the poorest of the poor regardless of creed, race or colour.”

Initially setting out to collect enough items to fill 80 shoeboxes, church members have smashed their target. Next month, when the boxes are collected by Link to Hope, they expect to hand to hand over around 120 shoeboxes.

Jo said: “We were just overwhelmed, but not terribly surprised. All Saints has a very generous congregation.”

The same congregation members have also help fundraise over £600 towards the Christmas box scheme. The money will help pay to send the boxes to eastern Europe – and for other luxuries like sweeties for each box.

“What’s a present without a bag of sweets?” Jo smiled.

Volunteers have already packed 92 boxes and plan to spend two days over the coming month wrapping the remaining 30.

For more about Link to Hope, visit: www.linktohope.co.uk.