OPERATION Christmas Child shoeboxes from the Tavistock and Callington areas are among the first to be distributed to needy children in 14 Eastern European countries.
The boxes of goods have been donated by schools, churches, community organisations, businesses and many members of the public.
This week the first batch of 250,000 shoeboxes, which also come from Plymouth and other areas in Mid Cornwall, are en route to destinations in Bosnia, Croatia and Romania in 19 articulated lorries.
These will be followed by a series of deliveries in eleven other countries with the final one taking place in Russia between January 6 and 9 as part of the main Christmas celebration in that country.
Last year's total of 1.3 million shoeboxes from the UK and Ireland looks like it will be beaten in 2003 and anyone who still wants to make a contribution can get in touch by calling the Helpline on 0870 011 2002.