VULNERABLE children in Romania will receive a shoebox donation for Christmas from charitable staff at Weaver Vale Housing Trust.

Staff collected items including toothpaste, stationary and small toys throughout October for a shoebox appeal by the charity Christian Community Ministries (CCM), based on Runcorn Road, in Barnton.

“The trust does a lot of work with local charities and we were delighted to lend our support to CCM in the run up to Christmas,” a trust spokesperson said.

“We had a fantastic take up to the shoebox appeal and I would like to thank all our generous staff who helped to fill more than 35 shoe boxes.”

The boxes were presented to Dawn Appleton, from CCM, by Danielle Baddeley and Danielle Hough, from the trust, on Friday, November 12.

“We are so grateful for this kind donation from the trust, said Dawn.

“Many of the children who will receive the boxes have nothing and the happiness that one shoebox can bring to them makes such a difference.”

CCM has carried out the shoebox appeal for three years to help disadvantaged children at the Emanuel Children’s Home and other poor families living in the Cluj Napoca area of North-West Romania.

Last year more than 600 boxes were sent by the charity and it is hoped an even greater number will be flown out to Romania this year.