A FLINTSHIRE Christmas shoebox appeal is up and running for another year.

Every year, a team of dedicated volunteers in Buckley, in collaboration with Wrexham-based charity Teams4U, send hundreds of shoeboxes full of essentials to those in need.

The boxes are filled with items such as clothes, soap, flannels, toothbrushes/toothpaste, sweets, soft toys, hats, gloves and scarves. They are then sent to areas across the world where children otherwise would go without Christmas gifts in parts of Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia..

After Bistre Methodist chapel closed two years ago, Buckley Cross Methodist Church is now acting as a collection point.

The scheme will be running from November 1 until November 19, and items can be dropped off there between Monday and Friday between 10am and 2pm.

As well as the items listed above, the team is also appealing for small kitchen utensils.

Despite the pandemic, the team led by Mac Ellis, amazingly still managed to send 260 shoeboxes overseas last year - after collecting items in Mr Ellis' garage.

They also raised over £600 in donations that was sent to those in need.

For more information, telephone Mac Ellis on 01244 543982.