Huntingdon Methodist Church has sent more than 600 shoeboxes filled with gifts and supplies to vulnerable families and children this Christmas.

A 'Pack a Shoebox Party' was hosted by the church on November 5, where members of the congregation and the local community filled 291 boxes.

The Hunts Post: The community in Huntingdon Methodist Church helping to pack and gift wrap shoeboxes.The community in Huntingdon Methodist Church helping to pack and gift wrap shoeboxes. (Image: Huntingdon Methodist Church)

The church then acted as a Collection Centre from November 14 to November 21 and sent 629 boxes to be delivered to Ukraine, Moldova and Romania just in time for Christmas.

Year-round Volunteer with Operation Christmas Child UK, Sue Shorter, said:  "A big Thank you to all the Community who contributed to enable needy children to have gifts of their own in the aforementioned countries."

The Hunts Post: Some of the hundred of gift-wrapped shoeboxes in the church ready to be delivered to children and families across Europe.Some of the hundred of gift-wrapped shoeboxes in the church ready to be delivered to children and families across Europe. (Image: Huntingdon Methodist Church)

The church partnered with Operation Christmas Child UK, which encourages churches to support the shoebox initiative to deliver the appeal and ensure children in challenging circumstances receive gifts "packed with love".

The church provided all the items for the community to pack, including knitted glove puppets and offered a light lunch to purchase to add to the donations required to send boxes.