A CREDITON woman has sent off her latest batch of shoeboxes filled with items for children in Moldova and Ukraine. 

Margaret Tucker, 87, prepared more than 70 shoeboxes, bags of clothing and handmade knitted items to send via Christian Response (CR2EE), with the help of her partner Derek Shapland. 

The total number she has dispatched this year is more than 100. 

Biffo Holland, from Crediton, picked up the boxes on Wednesday, September 4 to take to the charity’s collection point in Exmouth. 

Margaret Tucker and Biffo Holland with shoeboxes loaded into van
Margaret Tucker and Biffo Holland with shoeboxes loaded into van (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

Mrs Tucker has been sending shoeboxes to Eastern Europe ever since Hugh Scudder of CR2EE gave a talk at Sandford Women’s Institute around three decades ago. 

"I took a couple of boxes down for him at the time, and I think WI members did a couple of boxes, and it's just grown and grown,” she said. 

"I start collecting in January, and start collecting non-perishable stuff through the year when we go shopping. 

"Each one has a notebook in, and pens and crayons and pencils, and then they have colouring books, sweets and chocolate, toys, metal cars for little boys. 

"People are very generous with giving me things as well. It's all the things they can't get [in Eastern Europe]." 

She also expressed her thanks to those who knitted hats and gloves and donated other useful items such as toiletries and shoes. 

Mrs Tucker is collecting more shoeboxes and Christmas wrapping paper for her next batch. People who would like to donate any should take them to 18 Waresfoot Drive in Crediton.