Charity struggles to find shoeboxes for Christmas

The charity sent more than 3,000 shoeboxes last year

A charity which wants to provide gifts to children in the Ukraine and Romania has issued an appeal for shoeboxes.

Mustard Seed Jersey said it was aiming to send thousands of parcels this year as part of its Christmas shoebox appeal.

However, the charity said it was struggling to source empty boxes.

Charity worker Rose Helie Mustard Seed would be "extremely grateful" for any shoe box donations.

Ms Helie said the organisation sent between 3,000 and 4,000 shoeboxes last year.

'Absolute lifeline'

She said the charity aims to send a similar number of shoeboxes this year.

"We are struggling slightly at the moment to source enough empty boxes ready for our Christmas shoebox appeal," she said.

"We have encountered it before it's been getting increasingly difficult.

"I think there are now more rules and regulations that shops face regarding fire regulations so shops on the whole don't want to store empty shoeboxes for us."

Ms Helie said some of the people who will receive a Christmas shoebox may be struggling for food.

"I do find it really moving to hear the food we send across is an absolute lifeline for them," she said.

"If by any chance people can save their shoeboxes for us we would be extremely grateful."