Manx Telecom staff collected 72 shoeboxes to send to children in some of the world’s poorest countries as a treat for Christmas. The shoeboxes have been sent to the Operation Christmas Child appeal and are full of Christmas gifts as well as everyday essentials such as toiletries and writing materials. Operation Christmas Child is an initiative of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief and development charity working amongst communities in need in 18 countries across Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This year’s appeal will see shoeboxes distributed in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Kenya, Kosova, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Romania, Serbia, Swaziland, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. The charity works with partners in each of these countries including churches, schools, orphanages and other non-governmental organisations. Following discussions with these groups some of the neediest children in each country are chosen to receive shoeboxes. The local partners then arrange distribution. Libby Dodge, a clerical officer in the Mobile Sales Department, helped to organise the shoebox appeal at Manx Telecom. She said: “This is the fourth year we have been involved in the Operation Christmas Child appeal. We give people a choice, they can either bring in a finished box or bring in items to include which we can then pack. Thanks must go to everyone who has donated items and all of the team who help to pack them.” Staff in Manx Telecom’s Mobiles and Consumer Sales Teams co-ordinated the collection of shoeboxes, but staff from all departments at the company have contributed items. Around 15 staff gave up time in their lunch breaks to pack the boxes. - ENDS -