MORE than 250 shoeboxes have been sent off to eastern Europe thanks to the generosity of parishioners and groups from the Riverside Parishes.
Packed full of essentials, such as toiletries and clothing, the boxes also could also include gifts for young children or small tools.
All of the boxes have now been sent off to countries including Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and Bulgaria, as part of the Link to Hope appeal.
The Riverside Parishes, which consists of churches in Hurworth, Low Dinsdale, Girsby and Middleton St George, have all joined forces to collect the shoeboxes.
Paul Mallett, a lay lay reader at Hurworth's All Saints Church, helped organise the collection alongside parishioners Pat Demartino and Jill Bramwell.
Mr Mallett said: "It is really impressive how many boxes have been donated, it really shows the community spirit in the area."
Ms Demartino added: "It has just got bigger and bigger each year. It is a fitting tribute to Valerie Walker, who died two years ago, as she launched it here for our church."
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