A CHURCH is making a final appeal for shoeboxes filled with gifts before they are sent off to impoverished children in Eastern Europe.

The Wear Valley Christian Centre in Bishop Auckland has already collected more than 150 boxes to be shipped to children in need on Monday. (NOV 12)

On Sunday (NOV 11) they will be holding a special shoebox service where all the boxes will be collated and prepared for shipping.

Last year 180 boxes were sent from the church to children in Belarus.

Gifts including school supplies, toiletries such as toothbrushes and soaps, toys and sweets are requested to be put into boxes.

Yvonne Etherington from the church said their congregation has already put together 88 boxes, with a further 60 or so coming from the nursery at Bishop Auckland College, St Helen Auckland Primary School and St Chad’s Primary School in Witton Park as well as members of the public.

Ms Etherington said: “We want as many boxes as possible to send to these children.

“Without the boxes many of them would get nothing at Christmas.”

Ms Etherington and her fellow box collator Katherine (CORR) Potts thanked all those who have given gifts and the shoe department at Beale's Department store in Bishop Auckland for donating the empty boxes.

The service starts at 6pm and all are welcome.