A BUSINESS centre which opened its doors in the spring is showing its charitable side by launching a Christmas gift appeal for deprived children.

Alison Legerton manager of the Dunmow Business Centre on Stortford Road is eager to help unfortunate youngsters overseas who are living in difficult circumstances.

She is launching a Shoebox campaign which gives the opportunity for the public to send foreign children presents over the festive period. She wants everyone to get involved after having success with the same campaign at her previous workplace.

“I think it is important for people in Dunmow to have a local drop off point for those who wish to participate in the Shoebox Appeal,” she said.

“For the past 20 years, Operation Christmas Child, which runs the campaign nationally, has shown that there is power in a simple gift.

“It has grown to become the largest Christmas shoebox appeal in the UK. If you haven’t done it before, getting involved couldn’t be easier. In its simplest form, it is all about a gift – given by you to a child in need.

“You wrap and pack it, Operation Christmas Child check and send it, and their partners overseas deliver it. It’s that simple.”

Miss Legerton has ordered all the promotional material and is keen to get going with the project.

She previously ran the appeal from her office at the Blue Chip centre in Mill Lane.

If you would like to participate drop into the Dunmow Business Centre,12 Stortford Road, and collect a leaflet with all the details of the appeal and the shoebox requirements.

You can also visit the Operation Christmas Child website for more information at operationchristmaschild.org.uk.

Once you have filled your shoebox you can drop it off at Dunmow Business Centre who will be collecting boxes from October 15 to November 15.

The centre is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5pm. For more information telephone 01371 879200.

Operation Christmas Child is the largest children’s Christmas project in the world, run by the Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse.

This year they are celebrating 20 years of the Shoebox appeal, which has already brought gifts to the lives of over 80million children worldwide. Last year, over 500,000 people from across the UK got involved – including churches, schools and workplaces.

Children and adults wrapped and packed almost 1.2million boxes full of gifts and goodies, which were then sent to orphans and vulnerable children living overseas.