A Plaistow car dealership will be transformed into Santa’s Grotto-as it collects gifts for children in developing countries.

Dagenham Motors will be a drop off point for the 2012 “Operation Christmas Child” shoebox appeal. The campaign encourages people to send some festive cheer to children less fortunate than most, across the world.

Run in conjunction with the Samaritans Purse charity, “Operation Christmas Child” involves filling shoeboxes with toys and gifts to send to children around the world in hospitals, orphanages, refugee camps, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods.

Shaun Allen, Regional Director at Dagenham Motors, said: “This is the fifth year that we have taken part in the appeal. Last year we collected hundreds of shoeboxes, each wrapped in Christmas paper and filled with small toys, crayons, clothes and sweets, and this year we are aiming to collect even more. It’s an extremely worthwhile cause and we are looking forward to taking part again this year.”

Shoeboxes can be dropped off at the Dagenham Motors showroom on Plaistow Road, Plaistow, from November 1 to 18. For more information about the campaign and what items to include in your shoeboxes, contact the dealership on 0208 534 7661 or visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk.

Remember to make your box both fun and educational! All shoebox items should be new and can contain gifts such as:

Toys: Bear, soft toy, tennis ball, finger puppet, jigsaw, yo-yo, building blocks, small musical instrument. For boys trucks and cars, for girls dolls, clip on earrings.

Educational supplies: Felt pens, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, colouring book, notepad, picture or puzzle book, chalk, pencil case, stickers.

Hygiene items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, hair clips, bar of soap, flannel.

Other items: Sweets, gloves, scarf, sunglasses, cap, hat, bangles, necklaces.