STUDENTS are giving children less fortunate a Christmas gift this year.

Year 7 students at New Rickstones Academy, in Witham, spent two weeks filling shoe boxes with presents.

The work was carried out to support Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief charity which organises sending donations to underprivileged children around the world.

A total of 68 shoe boxes were filled with treats by students in Witham, and £204 raised to ensure they can reach their destinations.

Adam Wilding, head of Year 7, said: “The shoe boxes, their contents and the donations to send the boxes were largely down to the students and it’s an absolute credit to the year group as to how they engaged and approached the task.

“They did this with a smile on their faces and with such enthusiasm that has made all of us at New Rickstones extremely proud.

“Because of the hard work and generosity of Year 7, 68 children will have a Christmas present this year which they would not have otherwise had.”