MARGARET Tucker from Crediton recently delivered another 10 filled shoe boxes to Hugh Scudder from Exmouth, who runs Christian Response to Eastern Europe, the charity which runs a Christmas Shoe Box Appeal.

Mr Scudder said that an articulated lorry full of boxes, clothing, wheelchairs, etc donated by people from across the South West will leave Exmouth in early December for Moldova, in Eastern Europe.

Mr Scudder expressed his thanks for the 160 boxes already sent by Margaret to Exmouth, a month ago, delivered by Biffo Holland and his wife Jan.

Margaret says there will be at least another 50 plus boxes leaving from Crediton very soon.

She extended a big Thank You to everyone who has supported the shoe boxes with knitted hats etc, teddy bears and gifts, adding that if anyone still has items for the boxes, please can she have them by Sunday, November 22.

Also if anyone has spare soap, tooth brushes, toothpaste, colouring books etc, they would also help fill the boxes.

Hugh said that last year the charity sent more than 5,500 boxes, but due to the lockdowns etc, he doesn’t know how many will be going this year, although a lot were recently taken to Exmouth.

Hugh has been going to Moldova for 30 years and has got to know many people there, including many who organise soup kitchens and parties for the children during the summer.

He told Margaret of one young lady, whom he has known since she was a child, explaining that he wanted to give her a small Christmas gift.

Asked what she would like, she replied that as he does so much for them, there was nothing that she wanted but when pressed her reply was Washing Powder.

Christian Response is entirely voluntary, no-one is paid for what they do, and the store in Exmouth is also given for the charity’s use free-of-charge.

Margaret adds that when Covid is over, she hopes to hold an afternoon tea, for everyone who has kindly supported her.