A CREDITON woman, helped by members of her family and with the support of several friends, sent 55 filled shoe boxes to poor individuals and families in the Eastern European country, Moldova, which arrived in time for Christmas.

Margaret Tucker, of Victoria Crescent, a news correspondent for the "Crediton Courier", said that she enjoyed collecting items to be included in the shoe boxes, and was even more pleased after hearing that the donations of the boxes were well received.

Items she includes are toiletries such as soap, flannels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, schools sets (which she acquires in sales), toys, dolls, games, pens, colouring books, clothes, as well as other essential items.

The children’s boxes she puts together are for children aged from five to 16 and Margaret always writes on the outside of the box who the box would be appropriate for, boy or girl, a suggested age, or if it is for a male or female adult.

She even packs up two boxes just for grandmothers.

This year Margaret was helped by her grandson, Jack, who helped pick out toys for the children’s boxes, and by his friend, Coby.

When packing the boxes this year, Margaret was helped by great grandchildren, Jack (7), Kaide (10), Milla (9) and their friend, Coby (10), who, she said, really enjoyed selecting the items for the boxes, for specific named children, of their own age.

Margaret said a number of the boxes go to named people, including one for a poor homeless family and she often receives thank you letters, which means a lot to her.

She includes a Christmas card and a photo of her family in each box.

She explained: "Doing this gives me great pleasure. I know that the gifts are appreciated.

“I get the basics, for example, two toothbrushes for 18p, a tube of toothpaste for 25p, a pack of three bars of soap for £1.

“It doesn’t cost much when I add it to my weekly shop.

"Another great bargain were new small teddy bears with glasses on, at just 50p each from a charity shop in Barnstaple, and small dolls, which sang, at just 50p in a Garden Centre, reduced from £4.99p each.

“I just love doing the boxes, and Derek, my partner, helps to cover the boxes, and tie them up.

“A number of guests at my recent 80th party, also donated sweets and chocolates as well, and a lady at Refurnish in Crediton has also been very kind.

“I feel it is also most important that my great grandchildren understand that there are many children who are so poor that they do not even get a toy at Christmas, like most in Moldova, so the shoe boxes are a wonderful gift for them.”

Margaret sends the boxes through the organisation, Christian Response to Eastern Europe, which delivered 4,500 boxes to Moldova this year.

She delivers the boxes to Hugh Scudder at Kennford, near Exeter, who goes to Moldova regularly, often with clothes and other essential items.

Margaret added that she is already collecting for the boxes for next Christmas and said it reminded her of the fun she had doing the Christmas stockings for her own children many years ago.