A COMMUNITY has come together to fill shoe boxes with gifts to give to families.

Churches, schools, youth groups and WI’s across the Malvern area have collected around 570 boxes for Teams 4 U - a Wrexham-based charity which provides Christmas boxes for people in need.

Rev Gary Crellin, vicar of the benefice of Powick, Guarlford, and Madresfield, said: “Box numbers in my parish were a little down on last year’s total, but cumulatively the communities across the Malvern area have acted together to collect a splendid number of boxes - boxes that reflect the unconditional love of others that will be journeying to a country most haven’t heard of.

“This year, the boxes are travelling to Moldova - a small country nestling between the Ukraine and Romania where for some people, their earnings equate to $1.90 a day.

“I’ve been involved in this for around 10 years and it’s nice to do something for someone that you don’t know.

A typical box will contain a facecloth, a hand-made knitted hat and some other bits and bobs as well as books.

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Rev Crellin pointed out all included items in each box fit a useful purpose.

Oliver’s Books, an online book seller based in Callow End, donated over 300 books for the project - the second time they have supported this charity venture.

Ziz York from Teams 4 U, said: "Volunteers are vital for the work we do.

"I'm in awe of all of them and we are dependent on them to make this work."

Nationally, over 63,000 boxes have been collected by the charity this year.