PEOPLE are being invited to put a smile on the faces of children in war-torn and famine-hit countries this Christmas.

The invitation comes from Emma Jones, who is organising an Operation Christmas Child collection following the success of her initiative last year.

Emma works at her family’s business, Knutsford Art Shop and Stationery House, and has bought 50 Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes for people to fill this year.

Emma could have made a donation to the charity initiative, but chose to buy the boxes instead because it brought the community together and helped to raise awareness of the festive shoebox scheme.

The boxes can be collected from the Princess Street shop, and contain a leaflet with details of suggested items people can fill them with, such as pens and paper, balls, sweets and gloves.

Emma said: “Last year I bought 40 boxes, which people filled with items, and people also brought in another 19 of their own decorated boxes.”

Emma took the boxes to collection points at The Entertainer in Altrincham and St John’s Church in Knutsford.

“I was really pleased with the response last year, and decided to do it again this year,” added Emma.

“The boxes are for children in war-torn areas and those affected by poverty and famine, and will give them something to open on Christmas Day.”

All boxes, those collected from the Knutsford Art Shop and Stationery House, and ones decorated by people themselves, need to be returned to the shop by November 18, for Emma to pass them on.

People are invited to fill a box with a variety of new gifts, along with a suggested donation of £5. Since 1990 157 million in more than 160 countries have received shoebox gifts.