YOUNGSTERS are helping to bring festive cheer to poor Romanians by donating 90 shoeboxes full of goodies to a charity appeal.

The Mill Hill Primary School pupils, in Northallerton, are supporting the work by the town’s New Life Baptist Church.

Based on Crosby Road the school has worked with the residents of Orchard House care home in Northallerton.

The boxes contain scarves, toys, gloves, hats and other items to help those living in the village of Aiud in the Transylvanian region.

A church spokesman said: "The fact that the schools are involved is great.

"We have people on the ground out there too and so they can tell the pupils what it’s like with people still living in hovels.

"For some of those out there these gifts will form their Christmas presents and they will turn what was an ordinary day into a special one."

The boxes began the trip to Romania this week when they were collected from the school and they form a total of 2,000 expected to be sent this year.