A COUPLE are making sure disadvantaged children in Syrian refugee camps get a gift over Christmas.

Bruce and Linda Smart are the local organisers of the Samaritan's Purse - a Christian relief and development organisation, which helps children and families in need across UK Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia a gift for Christmas.

This year the charity want to send thousands of extra Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to refugees from Syria in existing camps in Iraq and across Europe.

Bruce, organiser and town councillor, of Ferndale Road, Rayleigh, said: “We don’t know exactly where they are going at the moment. But they are going to children, somewhere in the world, who will receive shoeboxes as their only gift at Christmas.

“They will go to any child, irrespective of their race, creed or religion, to any child in need.

“They will be going into Syrian refugee camps.”

The couple have so far counted that 1600 shoeboxes have been collected, but they hope by the end of next week, when they get sent off, to have about 4000.

Operation Christmas Child is basically a gift in a shoebox, given by you to a child in need. It is wrapped and packed, checked and sent, and volunteers abroad deliver it.

Linda said: “Anyone is welcome to donate, they are collected from churches, schools, private individuals and businesses.

“We get them from all different individuals that want to help.”

Items that are ideal for the shoeboxes include stationery, toiletries, toys, soft toys and make-up for older girls.

Liquids cannot go in the boxes and nothing to do with camouflage or war is allowed due to some children having been in war zones.

They have received some really special and imaginative boxes, including a skateboard and footballs with pumps.

Linda added: “Some of the people are generous beyond belief. It is making Christmas special for a child. However fantastic the best box is it is probably nothing to a child here.”

The warehouse to take your box to is at Rayleigh Town Cricket Club, Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh.

There are also drop off points around the area, for example Shoe Zone in Canvey and Rayleigh Hi Fi, in Rayleigh.

To find out more visit www.samaritans-purse.org.uk. The lorry is loading on Saturday November 28 at 10am.