A DRONE has been used to launch the sixth annual Christmas shoebox appeal run by Wrexham based charity Teams4U.

The launch of this year's project started in style at the Llay Warehouse when a drone flew a shoebox full of gifts over the heads of assembled guests.

Speaking at the event, charity founder Dave Cooke said: “It was a novel way to launch the event but the reality is we have to use more traditional methods to get shoeboxes to the kids in need each Christmas time which means we are totally reliant on volunteers and the goodwill of local people and for that we are incredibly grateful.

“This year will prove just as challenging logistically but with the help and support of Wrexham residents and those further afield we will make it happen and deliver gifts to those that would not ordinarily get one and that makes my Christmas.”

For Teams4U Christmas is an all year round project preparing for thousands of Shoebox gifts heading to children and families in Eastern Europe.

Just six years ago, the charity sent slightly more than 4,000 Christmas gifts to deprived children in Romania whilst last year five articulated lorries delivered 38,000 Shoeboxes across orphanages, homes and schools in Belarus, Bosnia, Romania and Ukraine.

The charity has grown to have a national presence with volunteers running Shoebox centres from Cumbria to Cornwall and they have big hopes to send more than 50,000 Christmas Shoeboxes to children overseas this year.

These gifts are often the only gift the receiving child will get at Christmas – perhaps even at all in their childhood – and are eagerly anticipated by the children.

Teams 4U's Overseas Project Coordinator Ziz York added: “We’re so grateful that the Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Andy Williams could join us to mark our launch for another year and we thank him and the Mayoress, Bev for the interest that they’ve always taken in what we do.

"Having the Mayor thank our volunteers was really important for us. Having been out to Romania and seen for myself just how little these families have and the joy a shoebox brings to a child that otherwise wouldn’t get a gift it makes me so proud of how supportive our community are.

"We really wouldn’t achieve any of this without our volunteers and those whom donate the boxes. Thank you.”

The boxes for boys and girls often include toys, stationery, sweets and a winter hat/gloves whilst the charity also receives boxes for the home suggesting useful household items such as candles, soap, clothes pegs and cooking utensils.

The charity will be receiving boxes locally in the following drop-off points until Friday, November 30 and if anyone is struggling to locate an empty shoebox, most of the drop-off points also provide spare shoeboxes.

A list of ideas on what can go in the shoeboxes can be found on the charity’s website www.teams4u.com and videos of shoeboxes being made can be found on the charity’s Youtube channel www.youtube.com/user/Teams4Utube

Drop-off points are Wrexham warehouse, Unit 8 Llay Ind. Est. LL12 0TU, open 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday; Manna Bookshop, Charles Street, Wrexham, LL13 8BT open 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and The Atrium, Croesnewydd Hall, Wrexham, LL13 7YP, open 8.30am to 3.30pm.

The following addresses will provide spare shoeboxes and are drop-offs in the evenings 25 Chester Road, LL11 2SF and Cair Paravel, Rhosrobin Road, LL11 4PG.