SCHOOLS and church groups across Malvern and beyond will be helping the children of Afg-han refugees this Christmas.

Operation Christmas Child asks people to fill shoeboxes with gifts before sending them to deprived children abroad.

In previous years, boxes have been sent to poor children in eastern Europe, but organiser Bob James said this year a number will go to those who have fled Afghanistan as part of the humanitarian crisis there.

Donors are urged to fill boxes with simple gifts such as pencils and crayons, colouring books, soap, toys and other items.

Instruction leaflets can be obtained from the Lyttelton Well, Church Street, Malvern, where filled boxes can also be taken.

Mr James is also collecting dried foodstuffs, flour, pasta, rice, sugar and salt, for the Afghan refugees.

"When a child who has absolutely nothing gets one of these boxes, it is a minor miracle. We can't change the world but we can make a difference," Mr James said.

Last year Malvern contributed towards 66,000 boxes sent from the Midlands. This year, Mr James hopes to help hit the 80,000 mark.

He is collecting boxes from Malvern until the first week in December, and will then be taking a lorryload to Serbia.