Members of the Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann are filling shoeboxes with gifts of toys, toiletries, educational items and household goods to be sent to less privileged children in eastern Europe.

This year the appeal has been backed by staff at finance sector firm Equiom.

Lucy Hendy, of the Equiom charity committee, said: ’Staff co-ordinate fundraising activities for a number of causes throughout the year and we were thrilled with the level of support Equiom staff showed for the Rotary Christmas Shoebox Appeal this year.

’We managed to collect and send a total of 57 boxes to children in eastern Europe.’

Rotary Club vice presiden, John Lindon and Rotarian John Quaye visited Equiom where they were presented with the boxes by members of the staff charity committee.

John Quaye is also the chairman of Manx Independent Carriers, which ships the shoeboxes off island free of charge.

Members of St John’s Chapel and the Inner Wheel Club of Rushen and Western Mann have again supported the Shoebox Appeal.