COMMONWEAL students are hoping to bring a Christmas smile to children across the world.

The youngsters have packed up 85 shoeboxes with hygiene essentials like soap and flannels – as well as toys, scarves, colouring books and other Christmas goodies.

The boxes, which have also been wrapped in festive paper, will be sent to children across the world by charity Samaritans Purse as part of their Operation Christmas Child campaign.

Genny Williams, a maths teacher at Commonweal school, said she had been particularly impressed that students this year had created the present-stuffed boxes at home, paying for items out of their pocket money.

“Students have realised just how difficult life is for many children in other parts of the world. One student wrote on the box, ‘I know life is hard now, but it will get better,’” the Old Town teacher said.

“A shoe box tells children that somebody cares, they have not been forgotten and gives them hope for a better future.

“Children also hear the Christmas Story and are told of the love that Jesus has for us all.

“We are pleased to know that the boxes packed by students, parents and staff this year at The Commonweal School, will make a big difference this Christmas.”

Year 11 pupil Shannon Thompson-Burke, 15, said: “It’s nice to make children happy and for them to know what Christmas is about and to spread a little love around the world.”

Commonweal students began collecting for the shoebox appeal last month.