KINDHEARTED students at a North-East college have Christmas all wrapped up after ensuring some of the world’s most vulnerable children have a festive gift to open this year.

Students at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, filled more than 60 shoeboxes with festive gifts to send to orphans in Moldova.

Working with the charity Stella’s Voice, which raises awareness of human trafficking in the country, the students donated clothing, toiletries, stationary, sweets, tinned food and toys to the youngsters.

Their gifts will then be taken to Moldova by members of the Xcel Church, in Newton Aycliffe.

Beccy Stannard, student services coordinator, said: “It’s a great charity and the college gets involved in something like this every year.

“It could be that these are the only Christmas present these children will receive – so it makes it all the more special and important for us to be involved.”

Sharon Watterson, a member of the church, added: “This is our fifth year of sending gift boxes to Moldova and I want to thank everyone involved in putting the boxes together.

“Stella’s Voice is a charity very close to our hearts as a church, as once a year we have the honour of meeting some of the girls who have been rescued from poverty and trafficking.

“To hear their stories is heartbreaking. Thank you once again as, together, we are making a difference for others.”