VOLUNTEERS who take shoeboxes of Christmas gifts to desperately poor children in Romania say their efforts are under threat.

A desperate shortage of storage space means the planned visit by Poole charity workers this November is in doubt.

The Poole team of the Biggin Hill Romania Group have been supporting children in the country since 2000 and have been distributing shoeboxes of gifts themselves for 10 years.

But the team has relied on the use of local storage facilities for its donations and shoeboxes.

The space is no longer available and the volunteers fear they will have to call off their support for the Biggin Hill efforts.

Lyn Jenkins, who leads the Poole team, said any offers of storage space would help.

“Anything would be better than nothing. We’re grateful for anything,” she said.

The Biggin Hill charity normally sends around 2,000 shoeboxes of gifts to Comanesti in Romania.

The appeal sees donors wrapping gift boxes full of aid and adding a small cash donation towards transport costs.

Lyn said: “We collect them here and get juggernauts or transporters to take them to Romania. A group of local volunteers pay their own way there to distribute them.”

Supporters are often sent pictures of the children opening their shoeboxes and the charity gives presentations to groups interested in learning more.

Anyone who can help with storage should email Lyn at bhrg_info_ poole@yahoo.co.uk or ring 01202 540266.