CHARITY begins in Eastern Europe for generous children and churchgoers who sent more than 2,000kg of food to sick, elderly and poor families.Chris Tew, John Clarke, Tom Peckham and Marguerite Clarke loading food boxes into a van at St George's Church.

Parcels containing groceries such as pasta, flour, sugar and biscuits are being delivered to 10 countries including Bosnia, Romania and Albania.

The boxes, which were collected by Kidderminster's St George's Church as part of the national Euroaid Harvest for the Hungry programme, were delivered to the campaign's Bristol headquarters by churchgoers Marguerite and John Clarke and Chris Tew.

Use of the van was donated by Jaeban UK of Kidderminster, while the food came from a number of sources including St Kenelms C.E First School in Romsley, Kidderminster College and Winterfold House School in Chaddesley Corbett.

The Rev Nick Barker of St George's Church said: "It's something we've done over a few years but this year there has been an even greater response than in the past.

"The boxes get taken over to places like Bosnia where there are enormous needs and get distributed to families through local churches."

Mrs Clarke, who co-ordinated the programme and helped deliver the 178 parcels to Bristol added: "This is the seventh year we have done it and is the best collection we've had.

"The response was wonderful and I'm particularly thrilled with Winterfold House School who used it as their harvest project.

"The children had lessons about where the foods came from so they were very involved."