STAFF at Manx Telecom have collected 72 filled shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child appeal - which sees poor children around the world receive a treat at Christmas.
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.
The boxes are full of Christmas gifts and everyday essentials including toiletries and writing materials.
The charity works with partners in each of these countries including churches, schools, orphanages and other non-governmental organisations to determine which children receive the gifts.
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."
This year's appeal will see shoeboxes distributed in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Kenya, Kosova, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Romania, Serbia, Swaziland, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.
