A FESTIVE appeal which spreads joy to children in need is gathering pace.
Donation points throughout south and west Cumbria have now been announced for the 2017 Boxes of Hope campaign, which sends shoeboxes full of gifts to children in Romania who would otherwise have no Christmas.
It may not seem long since the initiative was launched - but in order for as many children's lives as possible to be touched, speed is of the essence.
Rhona Teale, a trustee member of the Barrow branch of Boxes of Hope, said: "The benefits of being a local charity are that a team from Cumbria takes the shoeboxes and brings pictures and stories back of the children who received them and, as a small charity we have no staff to pay, so any surplus funding goes towards longer-term educational support for these children."
The boxes should contain educational supplies such as pens and pencils, toys such as dolls, cars and tennis balls, sweets and hygiene items such as face cloths and soap.
Children and adults alike can fill a shoebox and donate them - it is a simple and fun thing to do.
It doesn't have to cost a lot of money and it makes a huge difference to a child who has none of the basics we take for granted.
Most of the Romanian box recipients have never in their lives had a gift. Many have never had a toy or experienced the magic of Christmas.
Boxes can be dropped off between November 1 and 12 along with a £2 donation at any of these locations:
The Mail Office, Abbey Road. Monday to Friday, 9am - 4.30pm.
St Matthew's Community Centre, Highfield Road. Monday to Friday, 9am -3pm
Wynsors World of Shoes, Long Lane. Daily, 9am -5pm.
Dalton Drill Hall, Nelson Street. Monday to Thursday, 10am - 1pm.
Wax Lyrical, Lindal Business Park. Daily, 9.30am - 4.30pm
Appleseeds Health Store, Market Street. Monday to Saturday, 9am - 5pm.
Fountain St Dental Practice, Fountain Street. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9am - 5.30pm / Tuesday, 10am - 6.30pm / Friday, 9am - 5pm.
Millom Network Centre, Salthouse Road. Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.
For more information visit the Boxes of Hope website at www.boxesofhopecumbria.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here