A LOCAL charity is making a final call for its Christmas shoe box appeal.

Boxes of Hope Cumbria is set to deliver thousands of shoe boxes filled with gifts to disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe.

Schools, churches and individuals from across the Furness area have already shown tremendous generosity, with the final deadline for dropping off boxes set for the end of this week.

Rhona Teale, the charity's trustee in Barrow, said: "The response from the community has been absolutely amazing.

"Most schools in Barrow, Dalton, Ulverston and Millom have donated, which is great to see.

"We are also very thankful for donations received from the Barrow and Grange Lions Clubs and the Rotary Club of Furness Peninsula."

Volunteers will take a self-funded trip to Romania to oversee the delivery of the boxes on behalf of the charity.

The boxes provide essential items, along with some festive treats, to children living in extreme poverty – many of whom have never received a gift before.

Mrs Teale added: "In previous years I've been to hand out the boxes in person, and saw the people were so grateful. You feel very humbled, and we're just glad to be able to help."

"By delivering the boxes in person we can provide a connection between the people that donate and the children receiving the boxes.

"For a child who lives in abject poverty, to receive a box with these items it means the world to them."

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Boxes contain hygiene items, sweets, colouring books, hats and gloves, games and toys, distributed through schools and churches in Romania.

This year, the boxes will be distributed to children in the Constanta, Brasov and Transylvania areas of the country.

Operated entirely by volunteers, Boxes of Hope Cumbria has been operating in its current form for the past four years.

The charity hopes to provide around 10,000 gift boxes to children this year.

Volunteers in warehouses across Barrow, Kendal, Lancaster and Kirkby Stephen are currently preparing the shipment for collection on Tuesday November 21.

From there, the boxes will be driven across Europe and delivered in early December.

Any final donations should be handed in by Thursday this week. Drop-off points in Barrow include The Mail offices in Abbey Road and the Nan Tait Centre.

A full list of drop-off points can be found on the charity's website.