Operation Christmas Child pic: Kathy Cassidy.Flickr

Tower Hamlets residents are being urged to donate gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need in time for Christmas.

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a project started by Samaritan’s Purse, that asks people to fill a shoebox with small gifts, which are then sent to children in need across the world.

Last year over one million shoeboxes were sent from the UK, and this year senders will be able to find out where their boxes have been sent, if they register online.

There are drop-off points across East London, with volunteers ready to accept donations. Along with the box, donors are required to give a £2.50 donation towards processing and posting.

Carol Outlaw, Tower Hamlets Regional Manager of OCC, said: “Its hectic and happy. We get to meet lots of local people from school pupils to senior citizens whose kindness makes such a huge difference to the children receiving their shoeboxes.”

“All donors can be sure that their shoebox will be hugely appreciated by the child who receives it, every single shoebox really does make a positive difference.”

Dave Cooke established OCC in 1990, after he was moved by the stories he saw of abandoned children in Romanian orphanages. Since then, the campaign has steadily grown internationally.

The deadline for handing in a shoebox is November 18, you can visit the official website to find the East London drop off point closest to you.