SCHOOLCHILDREN spent their pocket money buying gifts for those less fortunate than themselves.

The pupils at Kings Furlong Infant School, in Basingstoke, filled shoeboxes with presents for children living in poverty.

Around 50 boxes were given by children and their families at the school, in Upper Chestnut Drive, and they were collected by charity Samaritan’s Purse, which will deliver the gifts overseas through its Operation Christmas Child appeal.

Various presents were put in the boxes, including toothbrushes, something warm, toys, flannels and drawing paper.

Laura Barlow, a teacher at the school, said: “We do it every year. We talk to the children about why we are doing it and who it goes to, and then the children bring in a wrapped shoebox and a donation to help pay for the delivery as well as various items to go inside.

“In my class, they put each of the different things in piles and then work in teams with their empty box and choose something from each pile to go in.

“Then they put a sticker on to say what age it’s for and if it’s for a boy or a girl. Some of the parents knitted hats and scarves to go inside.”