THEY spend all year collecting presents for children and ship parcels out in time for Christmas.

Now, a team of Hampshire volunteers has given thanks to residents for spreading joy to children around the world through shoebox gifts.

More than 6,500 boxes have been collected in Romsey from all community members in the SO postcode area by Hampshire Operation Christmas Child.

The project is the largest of its kind with local volunteers, donors and supporters transforming empty shoeboxes into gifts with school supplies, hygiene items and toys delivered to children around the world who are affected by war, disease and poverty.

Thousands have been collected in Romsey for this year's appeal, with today (Friday 8) the final day of the appeal for residents to donate.

Sara Artingstall, regional manager for the operation in the south, said: "These children, many of whom have never received a gift before, learn they are loved and not forgotten.

"Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 146 million shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

"We would also like to say that it's not too late for people to make a difference. Though the Hampshire drop-off locations are now closed until November 2018, shoeboxes can still be packed and sent year-round to Samaritan's Purse at Victoria House in Buckhurst Hill.

"Thank you again to everyone in the Hampshire area who participated in this project and for those who do so year after year.

"These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message of hope and continue to transform the lives of children worldwide."

To donate before the end of the week, boxes can be dropped at The Quadrangle on Abbey Park Industrial Estate.

Sara added: "The boxes really do go everywhere; one girl, Pille, is at Southampton University, and received a shoebox gift as a child and has been helping us all out, it's such a wonderful story.

The co-ordinator of the Romsey processing centre this year, Sue Manners, praised the 60 volunteers who spent more than 700 hours checking and exporting the boxes.

Sue said: "Mary Savage has been a volunteer for more than 25 years and will be running the warehouse until the final boxes are checked, sealed and exported next month. We have had over 60 volunteers who have given over 700 hours of their time to check and process them ready for export."