Operation Christmas Child is sending a big 'thank you' to the people of Pembrokeshire who have responded superbly to their annual appeal to donate gift-filled shoeboxes for children facing challenging lives in a host of countries.

Over 2,600 Christmas shoeboxes full of presents have been handed in by members of the public, schools, companies, churches and organisations from communities across the county, including Fishguard, Pembroke Dock, Haverfordwest, Tenby, Pembroke, Newport and Milford Haven.

"It has been a great response, particularly at a time when people are finding resources stretched due to the credit crunch," says Ted Bird, area co-ordinator for Operation Christmas Child.

"Our volunteers collected the shoeboxes from throughout Pembrokeshire and took them to the warehouse in Swansea and Pontyclun where we checked, packed and loaded them on to lorries for transportation to their destinations. This year the Pembrokeshire shoeboxes are going to children in Belarus, Kosovo, Serbia and Ukraine.

"On arrival, they are distributed by local organisations, charities and churches to children aged between three and 14, many of whom are in orphanages, street shelters, hospitals, displaced persons camps or whose families are facing hardship.

"It is clear from the items we see in the shoeboxes and from little personal messages sometimes included, that many people take great care in choosing what to send. Their kindness shines through."

Ian Macleod, head of operations and logistics, added: "This year we set a total UK target of 1.25 million shoeboxes which, with the economic downturn biting, we thought might be difficult to reach.

"We are handling the last lorry loads right now and, while we are still counting the final figures, I believe we will get at least 1.2 million, a terrific level of contribution from the public.

"Every shoebox makes a real difference to a child, often more than the donor can imagine, so I want to thank every single person in Pembrokeshire who packed an Operation Christmas Child shoebox."