A CREDITON woman who fills shoeboxes with items for children, sometimes for adults and families, last week sent 70 shoeboxes to those in need in Ukraine and Moldova.

Margaret Tucker, is helped by her partner Derek Shapland and son Dave Adams, especially with tying up the boxes.

Margaret explained: "Each box is for children aged four years to teenagers, plus a few for grandmother's and men.

"They contain all the basics such as soap, shower gel, shampoo, biscuits, sweets/chocolate, school stationery, crayons, colouring books etc, plus knitted hats, gloves, mittens etc.

"I include small toys, cars, dolls etc and small jigsaw puzzles and also coffee for the men, and perfume for the ladies."

Margaret says that another 22 boxes went earlier this year when Hugh Scudder, who was at Crediton Morrisons, collected them.

She expresses her grateful thanks to those who have kindly knitted hats/mittens and teddy bears and donated other useful items such as toiletries and toys.

She adds that shoeboxes and Christmas wrapping paper is always needed.  These items can be left at the "Courier" office.    Margaret hopes to send another batch of filled shoeboxes later in the year, adding that children's as-new/outgrown t-shirts are always welcome.

Biffo Holland, from Crediton, kindly takes the boxes to the collection point at Exmouth and in addition to the 70 filled boxes, also took three bags of clothing and bed linen.