THIS year's shoebox appeal is kicking off with an open gardens event in the Vale on Sunday to raise cash for East European children in need.

The organiser of Operation Christmas child, Bob James, spent Easter with a group of volunteers helping needy people in Belarus. Their week consisted of backbreaking manual work renovating a mental hospital and a children's home culminating in a tearful farewell party.

Bob said: "The conditions they live in are dreadful." The group fitted new toilets and showers, and kitted out a nursery funded by the residents of Seward Close sheltered housing scheme in Evesham, who raised £350 towards the project.

Work for the charity is year-round for Bob, local people, businesses and schools. Several lorries have already gone out to war-torn areas loaded with goods including unwanted blackboards and chairs from Green Hill School in Evesham, a huge box of lollipops from Morrisons store, and a valuable fur coat from a Broadway woman.

Bob said: "I gave a talk in Broadway about some ladies in Belarus who wanted to adopt me as their grandfather. The two sisters are so poor they share one bra between them. Afterwards one lady donated a wonderful mink jacket worth about £2,000 so they could share that, too!"

On Sunday Norman and Mary Bowley, of 2 Boston Lane, and Charles and Sheila Tooby, of 19 the Dovecote, both in Charlton, are holding an open gardens event from 11am to 5pm with wine and a sandwich lunch, a cake stall, plant sale and a raffle.

Mrs Tooby, who for the past five years has helped Bob check the shoeboxes before despatch said: "I have grandchildren myself who have pretty much all they want, but we feel very much for the these children who have nothing. I hope as many people support our event so we can buy lots of fillers for the shoeboxes."

This Christmas Bob hopes to go to Moscow with gifts for homeless children living under the road network. Samaritan's Purse, which organises Operation Christmas Child, has also answered the call to go to Darfur in the Sudan were mass slaughter is being reported, and to Beslan to find out how the charity can help in the aftermath of the school shootings.

Bob is urging everyone in the three counties to get shoeboxes to pack with Christmas gifts for youngsters. For details contact him on 01386 881605 or 07980 187909.