A GRAND total of 98 Christmas shoe boxes of gifts and six bags of clothing and bedding left Crediton on Saturday, November 20, for people in Moldova, the poorest country in Eastern Europe.

The boxes and bags were put together by Margaret Tucker of Crediton and on Saturday she and her partner Derek Shapland loaded all the boxes into a van, thanks to Biffo Holland.

Biffo assisted by his wife Jan took the boxes and bags to the collecting point for Christian Response for Eastern Europe at Spiders Lane, Exmouth, ready for Hugh Scudder and helpers, to load them onto their lorry to take everything to Moldova in time for Christmas.

With Moldova being so poor, the only gifts the children get for Christmas are the shoe boxes.

Margaret said that the boxes are always gratefully received. They are packed full of toiletries, chocolates, sweets, biscuits, school stationery and items, plus toys, t-shirts and more, each box filled to the brim, and tied down securely with string. Boxes also go for older men, and grandmothers.

Margaret expressed her thanks to Crediton Methodist Church for its 34 boxes, and others from Crediton Parish Church and individuals who also filled boxes, the remaining 45 boxes filled by Margaret and Derek. This was the third load that Biffo has kindly taken to Exmouth.

The charity, Christian Response, is very local as it is run by Hugh Scudder from Kennford, with his band of helpers. It is entirely voluntary and no-one has any payment for their work.

Hugh has been doing the charity work with Christian Response for around 30 years. He now knows many people in Moldova, explaining that some of the young ladies were small children when he first met them.

He and a helper Richard Chritchly regularly visit Moldova.

They also take medical items, including wheelchairs, crutches, walking aids etc, which are always needed. Margaret said that they also send around a regular newsletter about their work, which included a new soup kitchen. More information about the charity can be found on the website: www.cr2ee.org.uk .