Offices, shops, businesses and the townspeople of Pembroke contributed an amazing 100-plus gift boxes to this year's Operation Christmas Child appeal. The boxes were beautifully wrapped and filled to the brim with toys, sweets, crayons, play equipment and useful personal items such as soaps and toothbrushes; gifts of unimaginable joy and importance to children who would otherwise receive nothing at all at Christmas. The boxes will be delivered to children who are the victims of war, poverty, famine, disease and natural disasters around the world, regardless of nationality, political background or religious beliefs. The Pembroke town collection is one of several in the area organised by schools, clubs, churches and community organisations. The final number of boxes will total many hundreds and all will be despatched by the end of November, in time for Christmas.