THE gloom as Storm Claudia swept across West Somerset on Friday (November 14) was lifted as a group of schoolchildren delivered shoeboxes of gifts for this year’s Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal.

The year eight pupils of Minehead Middle School delivered 33 shoeboxes to Millbridge Evangelical Church, Minehead, the appeal’s local collection point.

The school’s community champion, Sarah Dyer, organised the annual initiative and encouraged students and staff to think about children around the world who may not receive any Christmas presents.

Millbridge church deacon Adam Ford and the Rev Tommy Pratt, of Minehead Baptist Church, joined Mrs Dyer to launch the appeal by leading assemblies for middle school pupils.

Some students filled their own shoes boxes, while others worked together in tutor groups to fill them, spending a long time carefully packing, wrapping, and filling the boxes before the shoeboxes headed off on their international journeys.

Mrs Dyer said “A special thank you goes to all the students who contributed.

“Your kindness will bring joy and warmth to many young hearts this festive season.

“Thank you for helping us spread happiness this Christmas season.”

Today, the shoebox appeal is run globally by Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian charity founded in 1970.

Operation Christmas Child was launched in the UK in 1990 by the legendary Dr Billy Graham and merged with Samaritan’s Purse in 1993 to support children in need across the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, personal care items, school supplies, and fun gifts.

It offers a hands-on way for people to help children in need around the world as Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches worldwide to share the Gospel and recruit new disciples.

Millbridge Church was open daily in the past week for collection of the shoeboxes, and other times can be arranged by emailing [email protected] or calling 07842776694.