Donations made by the St Albans community means disadvantaged children across the world will receive gifts this Christmas.

During the last few weeks, individuals and groups have been dropping off present-filled shoeboxes at workplace provider Regus, in Victoria Square, which has been supporting the Operation Christmas Child appeal for the third year running.

Run in conjunction with international relief charity Samaritan’s Purse, the appeal involves filling shoeboxes with small toys, sweets and other gifts to send to children overseas living in refugee camps, orphanages, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods.

Richard Morris, CEO of Regus in the UK, said: “Operation Christmas Child is a very worthwhile cause and we’re delighted that our local network of Regus centres could help by acting as drop off points again this year.

“We’d like to extend our thanks to all the local businesses, school, groups and individuals who got involved in the appeal and brought in their shoeboxes to out centre.”