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A lorry load of goodwill
THOUSANDS of gifts from generous South Tynesiders are winging their way to disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe.
A lorry, filled with gifts from this year's Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoebox appeal, had its official send-off yesterday.
The vehicle left the organisation's headquarters on the Bladen Street Industrial Estate in Jarrow, watched by South Tyneside Deputy Mayor and Mayoress Coun Tom Pigott and wife Alma.
Thelorry is on its way to Novi Sad, Serbia, filled with more than 10,000 gifts, including toys and games, which have been donated by 66 schools and 16 companies across the borough since the appeal was launched in July.
Carol Hall, the OCC district co-ordinator, who has been at the organisation for 16 years, said: "When you consider the way the economic climate is, and how South Tyneside, isn't an affluent area, it is such a generous effort.
"No words can really express how thankful we all are.
"It's amazing when people donate a gift – they think of the person as an unknown friend, someone they will never meet."
The send-off included a carol service from the choir at St Matthew's primary school, Alnwick Grove, Jarrow, and a reading by Brian Wright, the commanding officer of the Jarrow Corps of the Salvation Army.
Members of the Territorial Army and South Tyneside Fire Brigade helped load the lorry with the boxes.
Coun Pigott said: "It's a tremendous effort from every individual involved. It's great for the children to be part of and it gives them the chance to see that not every child in the world is as lucky and as fortunate as them."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
