STUDENTS from Oaklands School show some of the 150 shoeboxes they have collected for the Operation Christmas Child appeal - triple the amount collected the previous year.

Pupils from Year Seven, Eight and Nine filled boxes with toys, sweets, toiletries and stationary, to go to underprivileged children this Christmas as part of the scheme run by Samaritan's Purse.

Year Eight teacher Molly Dodson said last year 50 boxes were collected, but children in Year Seven, Eight and Nine had made a great effort this year. Some had brought in more than one box, and one form group alone brought in 24 boxes.

She said: "The kids responded in an amazing way and took on board the fact that they could make a difference.

"Collecting the boxes makes them appreciate what they have, and gives them a better understanding that in the rest of the world there are children with nothing."

Updated: 09:52 Friday, December 06, 2002