A CREDITON woman has sent 125 shoe boxes filled with essential items for children in need in Moldova, the country sandwiched between Romania and the Ukraine, which is one of the poorest countries in Europe.

It has been another year-long effort for Margaret Tucker, supported by her partner, Derek Shapland, to collect items for the boxes.

The couple recently delivered the boxes to Exmouth for local resident Hugh Scudder from the organisation Christian Response, ready for him to take to the country.

Margaret says she knows the boxes will bring Christmas cheer to the children who receive them.

Margaret said: “I would like to thank those who left empty shoe boxes for me, and to those who gave me items to help fill the boxes.

“I would especially like to thank Kate at Refurnish, who gave knitted hats and mittens.

“Also thank you to those who gave cash donations, including family and friends.

"Jean Burrow and the Waie Inn Luncheon Club also gave a generous donation and an open garden and afternoon tea I held at our home raised £145.

"Everyone has been so kind.

“All of the boxes were packed with essential toiletries, including soap, flannels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, headscarves, shampoos, cuddly toys, board games, chess and dominoes, small cars, and items for school, including pencil cases, crayons, notebooks, calculators etc.

“Some of the boxes had bracelets, t-shirts, socks, plus chocolates, as they love chocolate, and chocolate biscuits."

Margaret was also able to pack one large family box.

She added: “Mr Scudder also runs a Christmas Soup Kitchen and party for the children, when many of the shoe boxes are handed out, to great excitement, as that is the only gift the children have at Christmas.

“It is such fun to do the boxes, and thinking what to put in for each sex and age group, from five to 16 years, and squeezing them in to the box, which Derek then ties up firmly with string.

“I also include a Christmas card, with a family photo, as Hugh says they do like to know who sent their presents.”

Margaret starts collecting suitable things to go into the boxes by going along to the January sales and then is on the lookout for bargains throughout the year.

“It has been a mammoth effort but I really love doing them,” she added.

Margaret has also done a number of boxes for older ladies and men as well because, she adds, “they too are very poor, and really appreciate a small gift, soap, perfume, and body lotion is a real luxury, as is a bar of chocolate.”

In the past Margaret has received several thank you letters.

She added that Christian Response also take a couple of lorry loads of clothes, bedding etc to Moldova during the year to help those in need.

She says she is always delighted to receive photographs from the charity of the children opening the boxes she has sent.