STUDENTS are hoping to spread some Christmas joy this season and have been busy filling festively wrapped shoe boxes with lots of goodies to send abroad to disadvantaged children as part of the Teams4u Christmas shoe box appeal.

The boxes put together by Year Seven youngsters were collected from the Dean Academy in Lydney last week and are now on their way to Belarus for children of all ages to enjoy.

The parcels include sweets and treats, teddies and toys as well as useful items such as gloves, hats, stationery and toiletries.

The charity Teams4u send shoe boxes to vulnerable children and families across Eastern Europe in the hope that they can bring some joy and excitement to their lives and the knowledge that someone cares about them.

Mr Ben Grant, a teacher at the school who helped organise the collection, said: “I really hope that on Christmas morning all of our Year Sevens will feel really proud that somewhere in the world, other children are enjoying an extra special Christmas thanks to the generosity of The Dean Academy community.”