Students at Melbourn Village College are aiming to bring Christmas cheer to families and the elderly in some of the poorest corners of Europe.

The school has signed up to Link To Hope, a charity which is committed to rebuilding lives by collecting shoeboxes for struggling families in Moldova, Albania and Ukraine.

Boxes include toiletries, sweets, games, torches, first aid equipment, small tool kits, as well as hats, scarves and gloves.

The college hope to collect at least 50 boxes from staff and students and are asking the local community to get involved as well, challenging them to fill a shoebox for under £10.

The last date for delivering boxes to MVC is November 4. You can find out more online at www.linktohope.co.uk.