AS Christmas draws nearer thousands of Dorset residents have started preparing to make it a special festive season for children overseas.

Collection centres for Operation Christmas Child reopen for this year’s shoebox appeal in early November.

Last year across the whole initiative a total of 11 million shoebox gifts were packed by volunteers and distributed to disadvantaged children around the world.

The local drop off points and processing centre played their part by collecting and processing 10,629 shoeboxes, with a 84,673 collected in South and South West England overall.

Andrew Browning from the Dorset team said: “We prepare the shoebox gifts to be sent to more than 100 countries. It’s a big process, ensuring that every box is safe to transport. But it’s a fun process too, as we know that we will be putting smiles on children’s faces.

“You’re most welcome to come along to our processing centre at St John’s Church to join in the purposeful fun of checking the boxes.

“We are like a family when we get together. All working together to make a small difference in a child’s life.”

The doors of St John’s Church, Surrey Road in Branksome open for the month on Monday, November 5.

The opening hours to drop off shoeboxes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 9pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

Residents can hand in their shoeboxes up until November 18.

Once collected the gifts will be processed by the team of volunteers.

David Gibbons, the regional manager for Operation Christmas Child, added: “2017 was an exciting year for Operation Christmas Child.

“We saw an amazing number of shoebox gifts donated from this region and we’re immensely grateful.

“These gifts are often the only gift that the child will ever receive.

“I want to thank everyone who took part in 2017 and who is taking part in 2018. You are a part of sharing great joy with millions and it all begins with your kindness and generosity”

To find out more about the appeal and to become a volunteer go to www.samaritans-purse.org.uk