HUNDREDS of less fortunate children will be getting a Christmas to remember this year thanks to floods of generous donations from the public.

Residents of Weymouth and Portland have filled hundreds of shoeboxes will heart-warming donations as part of Operation Christmas Child, organised by Samaritan’s Purse.

Portland resident Gill Greenwood, who is also a representative of Easton Methodist Church and has helped organise the shoebox appeal said she was ‘overwhelmed’ with the donations this year.

She said: “It has been really successful. We’ve had so much support from care homes, schools and groups. It’s been fantastic. We have more than 320 boxes ready to go to Bosnia. I am overwhelmed by how generous people have been. We’ve had a lot of young people come on board this year and help give something back which has been wonderful. One lady came in with about 12 or 13 boxes, it was great. I am so grateful to everyone who has donated a shoebox.”

The hundreds of boxes filled with gifts will be sent to children living in poverty and deprived conditions due to natural disasters, war and political upheaval.

Similarly last year, boxes for the appeal were collected between September and November and more than 300 shoeboxes full of gifts were sent to children in poverty in Eastern Europe.

St John’s Portland Badgers and the Under 11s Portland Football Club are just two of the many groups to take part this year.

Emily Nash from Portland Football Club said: “We have got the boys to do a box each and teaching them it’s important to give something back and help out with events in the community. We’re very proud.”