KIND-HEARTED residents are being called upon to donate to an annual charity appeal which delivers Christmas presents to children living in poverty and hardship.

The Rotary Christmas Shoebox campaign has begun, with the Basingstoke Deane Rotary Club launch of this year’s appeal in Festival Place, and sister club Basingstoke Loddon Rotary approaching schools.

This year’s campaign is to collect presents to deliver to children in Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Romania who otherwise would receive no gifts.

People wishing to get involved can get involved in two ways, by either sponsoring a box or donating a completed one.

Sponsorship of a shoebox costs £10 which covers the cost of the gifts and wrapping paper, and transportation costs.

In order to make a donation by text: text RCBD17 £10 to 70070, or through the Mydonate page, details of which are on the club’s website.

Those wishing to fill a box themselves should cover a shoebox and lid separately with decorative paper, choose whether it will be for a boy or girl, and select one of the age categories of one-three, four-seven, eight-11 or 12-15. The list of what to include and what not include can also be found on the club’s website.

President of Basingstoke Deane Rotary, Lindy Richardson, said: “The children who receive these boxes get absolutely no other gifts. Last year the generous people of Basingstoke donated over 1,500 shoeboxes, and brought a smile to over 1,500 children.”

The boxes need to be delivered by Saturday, 28 October to any of the following collection points: Eden Fiat on the A30, Old Basing; Oakley Carpets in Andover Road, Oakley; The Build-a-Bear Workshop at 17A Festival Place, Basingstoke Parnell; or Jordy & Harvey in Winchester Street, Overton.

Visit the Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane website at rcbd.org.uk.