ONE hundred shoe boxes have been collected to distribute to needy children abroad.

This year Bude Methodist Church decided to support Samaritan’s Purse and their Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Appeal 2015.

Following on from a presentation at church given by Quest member Tommy Hogarth, age 12, the congregation got involved in various ways to support the cause.

Tommy asked for people to pray for the appeal, for £3 donations towards the cost of box travel, and for donations of individual items or completed boxes.

He also invited organisations connected to the church to get involved.

Several groups supported, including the Parent and Toddler Group, 1st Bude Brigade, 3rd Bude Rowan Scout Group and various home groups.

On Sunday, October 25 all the filled shoe boxes were brought to Bude Methodist Church at the 10am All Age Worship service led by the Rev Joy Wilson to be blessed before being collected ready for distribution to needy children abroad.

The final total of boxes was 99 and to make it 100 Tommy and Mum did one more.

It is hoped that Tommy’s Shoe Box Appeal will become an annual event.