Festive charity donations on rise

Donations for under-privileged children in eastern Europe and east Africa have increased, according to the Jersey branch of a major charity.

The Rotary Club's annual Christmas shoebox appeal urges islanders to pack boxes of gifts to be sent to children.

In 2008 the Jersey section of the charity, Rotary Club de la Manche, collected 1,653 shoeboxes.

This year they saw that figure rise to 2,331 shoeboxes which will now be shipped to Montenegro and Tanzania.

The boxes are leaving Jersey this week.

Tina Palmer, the organiser, said: "It's to give children who would actually have nothing, something for Christmas."