INDIVIDUALS, schools, churches and other groups across North Yorkshire will be taking part in the 2003 Operation Christmas Child Appeal.

The appeal calls on people to fill shoeboxes with gifts which are sent to needy children in eastern Europe.

Last year people from the county filled more than 15,000 boxes with presents.

The area co-ordinator, Linda Copley, is hopeful that this year will overtake last year's total, for children left with nothing after war, poverty and natural disaster.

"We sent our Christmas gift boxes to children in a total of 14 countries," she said.

"This is often the first time many of these children have received any sort of gift and it means so much to them and their families.

"We deal with people who are living in the most terrible conditions, in railway trucks, old watertanks, even in sewers."

"The gift box brings not only a few toys and clothes to brighten difficult lives, but hope and love from individuals who have packed the box here in the UK.

"It is very much a gift from one person to another."

Across the nation as a whole last year's appeal, run by Samaritan's Purse International Relief, saw 1.3m Christmas gift boxes filled by people in the UK and Ireland.

For further details contact Linda on (01482) 827339.