Operation Christmas Child is launching an appeal for help in Waltham Forest

Operation Christmas Child, which has been running for 19 years, begins its annual drive for donations this month.

Regional manager Gordon McCann said: “Schools, churches and other places take time to get everything ready.

“In schools, we promote it now, leading up to half term in October.”

Mr McCann, 57, of New Road, Chingford, became involved with the project four years ago and has travelled to Belarus, Ukraine and Kosovo to help with its work.

He added: “The gifts don't have to be expensive – I played with a child in Ukraine who was 10 years old and had never played with a ball before.

“Children don't mind if the ball comes from a pound shop or an expensive store.”

Mr McCann also believes the recession will have an impact on how much people give and called on people to be generous even if they are feeling the pinch.

He said: “People might think the people we help have got nothing anyway but when they're trying to scrape a living together, it does make a difference.”

Shoeboxes full of gifts are distributed to children living in some of the world's poorest countries and last year, people in Waltham Forest donated a total of 2,500 boxes.

The campaign is now calling on schools, churches, businesses and individuals not only to make donations but to volunteer to help sort the boxes at the charity's Woodford Green warehouse.

Mr McCann said: “Every box has to be checked to make sure there's nothing in there that will prevent them getting through customs. Last year, we had about 48,000 boxes.”

The charity works not just hit by poverty but by having no access to clean drinking water or by HIV/AIDS.

Support is offered throughout the year but Christmas is the project's main focus.

If you would like to help with this year's campaign, visit operationchristmaschild.org.uk or call the helpline on 0870 011 2002.