THE founder of Operation Christmas Child, Dave Cooke, paid a special visit to St Andrew's School in Hampton to kick-off this year's campaign.

A lorry has already gone out to the Crimea loaded with unwanted furniture from the Evesham school, following refurbishment.

Mr Cooke, from Wrexham told the children heart-rending stories about the thousands of children helped by the charity, and he was presented with a cheque for £230 from the school's harvest festival proceeds.

Shoebox organiser, Bob James said: "This year shoeboxes are going to India and Africa for the first time, as well as Bosnia and Belarus." The warehouse at Four Pools shopping centre in Davies Road will be open from November 7 from 10am to 4pm and 6.30pm to 9.30pm every weekday.