DISADVANTAGED children in the Balkans and Eastern Europe will receive special Christmas boxes, thanks to pupils at Tadcaster Grammar School.

The annual shoebox appeal always touches the heartstrings of students at the school and this year, through their generosity, more than 330 gifts are on their way to the sick and needy.

Filled with essential supplies such as toiletries, books and toys, the many boxes were loaded into the Children In Distress van by students in crocodile fashion as they passed them from one to the other down a long corridor and out to Eddie Errington, Appeals Co-ordinator for York & District and his team.

Children In Distress is dedicated to helping children in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. The charity works with the sick, the incurable and terminally ill, those with HIV AIDS, the physically handicapped and those who face a daily challenge for life as a result of accident, infection, genetic or birth defects, those who are discriminated against, the socially excluded, the desperate, disadvantaged children and families and the poorest of the poor.

Susy Laidlaw, Teacher of Business and Commercial Subjects at Tadcaster Grammar School co-ordinated this year’s appeal and praised all the students involved.

She said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference to the lives of others and once again this has been a tremendous effort by the whole school community.

“However, I would like to give special thanks to Head Girl Katie Wannop, Sixth Form students Jessica Soar and Charlotte Robinson for giving up all their free time to help and also to my form who assisted in the smooth running of the collection."

For more than 20 years, Children In Distress and its team of volunteers has cared for thousands of Europe’s “forgotten”. “You can make someone feel special and bring joy, smiles and laughter for weeks to come, as this may be the only Christmas gift a child receives,” said Mr Errington. The charity relies on the generosity and support of individuals like the students at Tadcaster Grammar School to help change lives,” he stressed.

If you would like to make a difference, please contact Eddie Errington on 01904 765199 or visit the website at www.childrenindistress.org