Charity expresses thanks to firm for children’s presents

A NATIONAL charity has expressed its gratitude to Dagenham Motors for their efforts in collecting thousands of gift-filled shoeboxes for children in Third World countries.

The shoeboxes, put together by Newham residents, schools, churches and community groups, contained everything from sweets and toys to toothbrushes and felt-tip pens. They were distributed to needy children who would not otherwise have had presents to open over the festive period.

Nearly 10,000 gift-filled boxes were collected by Dagenham Motors in Plaistow and other dealerships in its parent group Ford Retail, which has supported the charity for the past five years.

Simon Barrington, Executive Director of Samaritan’s Purse, which organises the appeal, said: “We would like to thank Dagenham Motors and all the members of the public who wrapped, packed and brought in their shoeboxes. Thanks to them, many thousands of children who otherwise wouldn’t receive presents, knew they weren’t forgotten at Christmas.”