A shoebox full of happiness

Eyes shining with excitement, the six-year-old clutches the brightly covered shoebox she has been given by a volunteer from Operation Christmas Child.

And when she opens it, she can’t believe her luck - one of the gifts inside is a hat.

Her old one is ripped and came from the rubbish dump. But this one fits perfectly and will keep her warm through the bitter cold of a Montenegro winter.

“It has stripes!” she says excitedly. “I love stripes! Don’t I look beautiful? Aren’t I lucky?

“I want to thank the person who sent me this hat.”

Her mother bursts into tears when the volunteer leaves another shoebox for Almedina’s brother Fatos, who has been staying with their uncle.

You can share in this wonderful festive spirit by filling a shoebox with presents to delight needy youngsters in the Third World. Decide whether you’d like your gift to go to a boy or a girl and select one of three age groups.

The Herald&Post is proud to be a drop-off point and the deadline is Friday, November 16.

> To download instructions, visit www.samaritans-purse.org.uk