MARGARET Tucker and Derek Shapland recently opening their garden at Victoria Cresent in Crediton for afternoon tea to raise funds for shoe boxes to send to Moldova.

There was an excellent raffle, and bric-a-brac stall which raised £140.

This money will go towards chocolate bars, to go into the Christmas Shoe Boxes, to be taken by Hugh Schudder and his team from the charity Christian Response to Eastern Europe in late November when they later hold soup kitchens and parties for the children and elderly folk and distribute the boxes.

Margaret said: “These shoe boxes are normally the only gifts they have as Moldova is the poorest country in Eastern Europe, very little work, and the temperature in the winter can go to minus 40 degrees.

“The boxes are taken from the depot in Exmouth and Hugh also often takes out logs as well to help with winter fuel.

“The children love chocolate as it is a great treat for them and they always share it out as well.”

Margaret expressed her thanks for all the support, gifts for the shoe boxes, and the raffle prizes, with special thanks to Tesco, Morrisons, Oliver’s Bakery and Adams Home Hardware, plus individuals.

Margaret added: “The rain kept off, and everyone had time to sit, relax and chat. The boxes usually contain, school items, a soft toy, teddy bears are very popular, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, flannels, shampoo, a small toy, doll or cars, or puzzles, chess sets, woolly hats, gloves, t-shirts, exercise books, colouring books, etc and of course the precious bar of chocolate.”

Margaret says they will probably fill around 100 shoe boxes, but she still needs Christmas wrapping paper!