Cherie fills shoebox for poor children

Cherie Blair heard of OCC through her daughter

Prime Minister's wife Cherie Blair has pledged her support to a north Wales charity which sends Christmas gifts to thousands of underprivileged children each year.

Operation Christmas Child (OCC), which is based in Wrexham, has been sending presents to poor countries for 12 years.

The shoeboxes are sent to needy children

Mrs Blair delivered a shoebox of toys, sweets, and warm clothing to Wrexham MP Ian Lucas and David Applin from Samaritan's Purse - the international arm of OCC.

Mr Lucas went to Downing Street to receive the goods.

"Mrs. Blair heard about the shoeboxes from her daughter, who filled a box at school.

"We are very proud that this wonderful, simple idea which began life in Wrexham, has spread so far around the world, and has now reached the hall of 10 Downing Street," said Mr Lucas.

War images

OCC was formed in 1990 by Chester businessman Dave Cooke.

People are asked to fill a shoebox with gifts for needy children in the world's poorest countries.

The first time the lorries left Wrexham, they had 3,000 shoeboxes on board but by last year the figure had grown to 1.25 million.

This year, the presents have been distributed throughout Eastern Europe and Russia.

People are asked to fill their boxes carefully and not to put anything in them which depicts images of war.

Millions of shoeboxes have been distributed

The scheme has spread throughout Great Britain.

Charity organisers have said poverty is not just about youngsters dressed in rags.

Many are being well cared for in orphanages but there is not enough money to buy them Christmas presents, others have been affected by Aids.

Organisers say people do not realise that there is no end of food and aid that gets out to these children.

However, they have been traumatised at a young age with the outbreak of war and civil unrest.

Around 60 trucks and the world's biggest transport plane - the Antinov 124 - have transported gifts to 12 countries.