PUPILS have packed more than 200 shoe boxes with goodies to ensure disadvantaged children around the world receive a Christmas present this year.

Newker Primary School in Chester-le-Street has filled 212 shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child campaign, which is run by Samaritans Purse International.

The national scheme was organised within the school by teacher Joanna Pringle. It encourages people to fill boxes with presents for boys or girls within certain age categories. The boxes are then sent to youngsters in more than 100 countries who would otherwise be unlikely to receive a present at Christmas.

Newker Primary School has also raised £420 for two children's cancer units at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and Newcastle General Hospital. The fundraising was started following the death of a fellowpupil in July this year from leukemia.

The money was raised from a snack day and harvest festival collection.