KICK off the festive season with a hearty helping of goodwill this year as four of our local pubs help out Operation Christmas Child.

The Ship Inn on Warrington Road, the Black Horse Inn on Rainhill Road, the Waterside on Garswood Old Road and the Woodlands on Woodlands Road are acting as drop off points for the nationwide appeal.

Operation Christmas Child encourages people to gift fill shoe boxes which are then transported all over the globe to the poorest children in time for Christmas.

During October and November the four pubs will be able to take your gift filled shoeboxes, although the closing date is November 18.

Ship Inn general managers Rita and Ian Pidgeon said of their involvement; “We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile campaign. We’ll be doing everything we can to spread festive cheer and to put a smile on the faces of children in the most desperate situations around the world”

Black Horse Manager Nick McKernan added; “Operation Christmas Child is a fantastic campaign which gives the giver, as well as the receiver, a lot of pleasure. Choosing gifts for the children is the perfect activity to kick off the festive season and capture some real Christmas spirit.”

Gifts should be for children aged 2-14, either boys or girls. Ideas for boys could include toy cars, small musical instruments, puzzles, sun glasses, colouring books or felt tip pens. Boxes for girls could include dolls, costume jewellery, hair bands, toiletries or small stuffed animals.

Full details of what and how to pack can be found at operationchristmaschild.org.uk