NEW Hope Village, Zimbabwe, received a very welcome Christmas present in the form of a 40ft aid container from the Tavistock-based charity, Operation Sunshine.

The most anticipated items were 12 bicycles, fully repaired and ready to ride. They had been specifically requested by Bryony Pichanik, the charity's contact in Harare. The bicycles, donated by the public, are repaired by volunteers from the charity before being shipped.

Felicity Derry-Thomas, South West area organiser, said that the children, who are orphaned, were removed from the destitute camps and placed into homes. These, however, were 14km away from the school, culminating in a round trip of 28km just to get an education.

Pumps and puncture repair kits are also shipped out with the bicycles so that they can be maintained and repaired if necessary.

Donations form the vast majority of the shipment.

Felicity said: 'Our needs are, as always, good clean clothing, and shoes, soap, school exercise books, biros, pencils, sewing goods, cooking pots and pans. The list is nearly endless.'

Bicycles were not the only item to be included in the 40ft containers. Food was also sent in abundance, things such as soups, tins of tomatoes and sacks of rice are a godsend to a community ravished by Aids, poverty and famine.

Zimbabwe's plight has meant it was the recipient of four out of the five 40ft containers sent by the charity in 2009. Even once emptied the containers still have a practical use as they are converted into clinics, classrooms and workshops through the simple addition of doors and windows.

Each shipment costs between £6,500 and £9,000 depending on its destination.

This cost is the main challenge the charity faces, as 99% of all money received is spent on the purchase and shipping of the containers.

Sponsorship, regular donors, stalls and other private fundraising efforts are all invaluable in allowing the charity to send a container every 8-10 weeks.

The next container will be loaded on February 13 and will go to Lusaka, Zambia.