Pupils at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, in Twickenham, have filled nearly 200 shoeboxes in a fundraising drive for the Rotary Shoebox Scheme.

The gift of a shoebox that contains toys, toiletries, educational items or household goods is a drop of happiness to the people of Eastern Europe who live in a world of poverty.

The empty boxes were supplied to the school by The Rotary Club of Twickenham and will be collected this week to be delivered to poor and underprivileged people in Eastern Europe in time to brighten their Christmas.

Rotary President Perminder Tamana said: “Our thanks go to Nicola Meadley, a parent at the school who contacted us to help organise the scheme and, of course, to all the children and parents involved.

“Their effort and generosity will make a real difference to the lives of needy children, families and older people living in poor regions of Eastern Europe.”