Alton Rotary Club members have been busy collecting shoe boxes full of Christmas presents to send to children in Ukraine.

They picked up 168 wrapped boxes - 52 from Holybourne, 54 from Ukrainians living in Alton and their hosts, and 62 from Oakmoor School in Bordon.

Alton Rotary District 1110’s Shoebox Drive has been running for 20 years and sees boxes of gifts distributed to thousands of disadvantaged and displaced children at Christmas.

Alton Rotary members took the shoe boxes to a depot in Bournemouth, where they were added to those gathered by many other nearby Rotary clubs. 

A total of 4,000 boxes will be distributed to Ukrainian children this Christmas. 

Claire Seddon - the academic and pastoral leader at Oakmoor School, who organised its shoebox collection - said: “It has been a great pleasure to gather all these boxes for Alton Rotary District 1110’s 2024 Shoebox Drive and I am so proud of what we have achieved. 

“I would like to thank all the Oakmoor students and their families for their generosity and goodwill in responding to this appeal for shoe boxes to be sent out to Ukrainian children.” 

Oakmoor School headteacher Nigel Wright added: “We are very pleased to have played a part in this initiative by Alton Rotary and the response of the school community has reminded me of the kindness that is at the heart of Oakmoor School. 

“We hope that Oakmoor’s efforts and kind donations will bring a smile to lots of children's faces in Ukraine this Christmas."