A charity appeal that sends Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children around the world is “going into overdrive” as the festive period starts.

Operation Christmas Child began last night in Ongar, where it is based at St James Church, St James Avenue, and donations have already come in for the annual appeal.

The drive sends shoeboxes of “childish pleasures” to overseas children irrespective of race or religion and it has been held in Ongar by the Samaritans for the last 10 years.

Donations made this year will be sent to Kyrgyzstan, one of the poorest former Soviet countries.

Recent years have seen gifts sent to Liberia, but the risk of Ebola infection meant that charity workers could not travel there.

Fiona Baxter, who volunteers and helps organise the appeal, said that donating could make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children.

As well as organising the local appeal, she has also travelled with the gifts to distribute them.

She said: “I went out to Swaziland in Africa and the children were absolutely overwhelmed and the parents could not understand it, they were absolutely amazed at the generosity.”

She added: “A box costs £10 but the impact at the other end is worth so much more.

“It makes people realise how much we have got in this country, even when we are hard up we are wealthy compared to some people in other countries.”

Gift donations are welcomed at St James Church every Thursday and Friday, and volunteers are needed to help sort the gifts.

For more information, email Fiona Baxter.