ALTRINCHAM shoppers are being called upon to help hundreds of vulnerable children and elderly people in the UK and beyond this Christmas.

Specsavers in Altrincham is currently collecting donations as part of a festive shoebox appeal which will help those in desperate need during the cold winter months.

Administration manager Louise Henshall says: ‘We are appealing for anyone with any unwanted gloves, scarves, hats and socks as well as items such as soap, toiletries, pens and paper, to put them in a box and bring them into store.’

Items collected before Sunday 6 November will be distributed by Computers for Charities to the needy in this country including the elderly and children, as well as those in Slovenia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria and Africa.

Louise continues: ‘We’re proud to support this worthy appeal. Our customers are always supportive of our charity efforts, and I know this year’s will be no different.

‘We would love people to stop by our store in George Street and drop off anything they think will make life a little easier for children and older people who are less fortunate than them.’

Computers for Charities is based in Hailsham, East Sussex, and delivers recycled and donated IT equipment to vulnerable communities around the world.

It has been running a shoebox appeal for the last seven years, and last year its lorry covered 5,000 miles across Eastern Europe alone.

Dry foods and medical supplies cannot go in the shoeboxes, but can be collected and sent separately. However, alcohol and fresh foods like meat cannot be accepted.

To find out more about Computers for Charities, visit the organisation’s website at www.computersforcharities.co.uk.

To book an appointment for an eye test, call Specsavers in Altrincham on 0161 929 5555 or drop into store. Alternatively visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/altrincham.