More than a dozen members of Tiree Parish Church guild spent several hours filling shoe boxes with presents and wrapping them with Christmas paper before sending them off to children and poor adults in Eastern Europe.

The women worked tirelessly in the Resource Centre and filled an estimated 70 boxes for the recipients with items such as toys, toothpaste, warm gloves and hats, drawing pencils and pads, soap and sweets. The boxes were stacked for collection by Mark Armstrong who took them in the Wilson Carrier’s van to Oban where they were destined for the Blythswood shop before being sent off to Eastern Europe.

Two larger boxes also contained clothes sent in from the thrift shop at Barra. Catriona Rowan, who organised “operation boxes,” said:
“I would like to thank all the women who helped fill the boxes, and people who donated items. Also, Wilson Carrier’s who sent over empty boxes from Stead and Simpson shoe shop in Oban. “I am told that anyone who has seen the film of the children opening their boxes never forgets seeing their faces lighting up with joy. These children have nothing and are more than thrilled to get a present, expecially at Christmas time. “Some of the clothes are earmarked for an orphanage which I am hoping our guild will sponsor.”