People are being urged to help make this festive season one to remember for disadvantaged children across the globe.

Richmond charity project operation Christmas Child collects gift-filled shoeboxes to send to countries including Bosnia, Kenya and Kosova and this year it is asking donors to include a sports item in their box in honour of the Olympic Games.

Operation Christmas Child’s Richmond co-ordinator, Pauline Ramdhony, said: “It’s a busy but brilliant time for us with donations coming into us from all over including Barnes, East Sheen, Ham.

“We’ve a great team of volunteers who are out and about collecting shoeboxes from schools, churches, businesses and organisations or who are checking and packing the shoeboxes in our warehouses.

“It’s hectic and happy. We get to meet lots of local people – from school pupils to senior citizens – whose kindness makes such a huge difference to the children receiving their shoeboxes.”

The final date for donating a shoebox for this year is Friday, November 18.

For details visit operationchristmaschild.org.uk or contact 0870 0112002.