MORE than 15,000 Christmas parcels are on their way to poor children in Eastern Europe, thanks to the efforts of Oxfordshire volunteers.

Each year, volunteers from Operation Christmas Child send out boxes of presents - many donated and packed by Oxfordshire schoolchildren - to needy children abroad.

Last month, regional organiser Kerry McLeish warned that gifts could be delayed this year because last year's warehouse in Drayton Road, Abingdon, where the boxes were checked and sorted, was no longer available.

But following an appeal, businessman Paul Mabbutt, 43, a director of Jennings of Garsington, which owns the Monument Business Park in Chalgrove, stepped in to offer a 5,000 sq ft warehouse in Chalgrove. Two lorries left on Saturday for Belarus and Serbia.

Mrs McLeish, 47, from Blewbury, said she was delighted the boxes would arrive in time for Christmas.

The area coordinator for Oxfordshire added: "We would like to say a big thank you to Jennings of Garsington for providing us with the warehouse.

"It has been a fantastic place for volunteers to work in.

"This year, we have completed our task quicker than we ever have done before.

"Everything has turned out well in the end.

"There will be smiles on the faces of the children when the lorries reach their destinations."

The shoeboxes usually contain sweets, pens and paper, small books, toys and toiletries.

Earlier this year, Mrs McLeish was one of a number of volunteers who visited Kyrgyzstan, on the Chinese border, to see how children aged two to 14 benefited from the gifts.

For more information about the scheme, go towww.samaritanpurse.uk.com