Youngsters at Cromer Junior School have filled 80 shoe boxes with toys, books and toiletries for the annual Operation Christmas Child appeal run by Christian charity Samaritan's Purse.

North Norfolk News: School council members help Year 6 teacher Emma Petersen load filled shoeboxes onto the school minibus, ready to be shipped off to needy youngsters as part of Operation Christmas Child. Photo: KAREN BETHELLSchool council members help Year 6 teacher Emma Petersen load filled shoeboxes onto the school minibus, ready to be shipped off to needy youngsters as part of Operation Christmas Child. Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

The boxes, which the six-strong school council took to a distribution centre at Aylsham this week, will be shipped to needy children all over the world.

Pupils and their families filled the boxes with toys, colouring books and pencils, with Cromer's Corner House dental practice donating 200 travel-sized tubes of toothpaste and customers at Morrison's supermarket donating nearly £100 towards other essentials.

North Norfolk News: Cromer Juniors school council members with shoe boxes filled with Christmas gifts for needy youngsters. Photo: KAREN BETHELLCromer Juniors school council members with shoe boxes filled with Christmas gifts for needy youngsters. Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

The store also contributed 100 filled boxes, as well as prizes for the three classes collecting the highest number of boxes.

Year 6 teacher and school council co-ordinator Emma Petersen said: 'The children have really bought into the idea and I think it has helped them realise that the things they take for granted mean the world to children elsewhere.'

North Norfolk News: Cromer Juniors pupils Antonio and Grace load up filled shoe boxes onto the school minibus ready to be shipped off to needy youngsters as part of Operation Christmas Child. Photo: KAREN BETHELLCromer Juniors pupils Antonio and Grace load up filled shoe boxes onto the school minibus ready to be shipped off to needy youngsters as part of Operation Christmas Child. Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)