LAST Christmas Sandra Reynolds had one of the most moving experiences of her life when she delivered 9,000 shoeboxes filled with gifts to the children of Croatia.

It was an experience that has given her a new determination in her bid to persuade people to contribute even more boxes this time.

In fact Sandra has already spoken to more than 10,000 children across County Durham since the start of the new academic year on behalf of the Operation Christmas Child campaign run by Christian group Samaritans Purse International. The group ask children and their parents to fill shoeboxes with presents, which are then distributed to children across the world.

Children like the orphan boy that Consett woman Mrs Reynolds met in Croatia last year. Given his first ever chocolate bar the child broke it into pieces and asked if he could give them away. He had never had the chance to give anyone a present before.

Mrs Reynolds is also looking for volunteers, including drivers, to help at a warehouse in Consett. Boxes, which should contain £2 transport costs, no liquids and no war-related toys, can be donated to branches of Quickfit in the North-East, Uniform Services in Stanley or Consett Library. Mrs Reynolds can be contacted on (01207) 506385