THE Shuttle/Times & News and Kidderminster and District Lions Club need the support of shoppers and readers.

We have teamed up to provide food hampers for needy folk in Wyre Forest this winter - but we can only do it with your help.

Tinned and non-perishable food items will make up 120 Christmas hampers and items can be dropped into our offices before December 8.

The Kidderminster office is open every weekday from 9am until 5pm and the Stourport office is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9.15am until 3.30pm and on Thursdays until 12.30pm.

MORE than 20,000 boxes of Christmas cheer will soon be on their way to Eastern bloc countries, thanks to kind Wyre Forest residents.

Julia Pittaway is marking her ninth anniversary of a shoebox appeal for children with a trip to the Crimea before Christmas.

Two lorries will carry the boxes which each contains a cuddly toy, paints, pencils, crayons, colouring books, sweets, soap and a small toy like a yo-yo or a ball.

People are asked to include £2 to cover transport costs.

Anyone who would like to make a last-minute donation can collect a leaflet giving details of the scheme from shops in the Rowland Hill Centre, Kidderminster, or from Thursfields Solicitors, where Julia works, in Church Street, Kidderminster.

All boxes have to be in by Friday, November 17.