Pipers Pre-Prep girls did their bit this week to help those children less fortunate than themselves as they collected in 39 shoeboxes full of gifts as part of The Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child is one of the world's largest Christmas projects. In 2007 they sent 1.3 million shoe boxes from the UK to children in hospitals, orphanages, internally displaced persons camps, homeless shelter and impoverished neighbourhoods. The idea is that you fill a shoe box with gifts tailored to a boy or a girl which will then be distributed to a child in need and hopefully make them feel special and valued.

Each year the Pre-Prep take part in this project putting together shoeboxes full of gifts and this year was no different. Mrs Clare Pre-Prep teacher said "I think it is really good for the girls to appreciate the fact that there are children in the world who are not as fortunate as them and to be able to share a little of what they have."

Below are some comments made by the girls about their boxes:

• "If children don't have any food or presents, we can give them things and make them happy."
• "I liked the fact that the children get their first ever Christmas present and they are really happy."
• "I like it because we are donating things to people who haven't got very much and it's nice to share."
• "I liked putting in the toys."