YOU can fill and send a shoebox full of gifts to the soldiers in Ukraine, thanks to two churchgoers on the Isle of Wight. 

Joan Minns, of All Saints Church, Gurnard, and Nigel Watson of Sandown Methodist Church, have worked together on the project. 

The latter will even be going to Ukraine at the end of November. 

All Saints Church is open from 10am to 4pm every day, and boxes can be dropped off there. 

The County Press office is also a drop-off point, and open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. 

Items desperately needed include: 

  • Thick socks to go inside boots. 
  • Underwear. 
  • T-shirts (medium/large/extra large) black and navy (no bright colours). 
  • Neck warmers, scarves, hats, balaclavas (black only).
  • Paracetamol, throat sweets, plasters.
  • Tooth brushes, tooth paste. shaving foam, razors, deodorant. 
  • Packs of cards. 
  • Board games. 
  • Chewing gum, sweets, chocolate, biscuits, small cakes, instant noodles, nuts, dried fruit, treats in general.
  • No tins (too heavy).

Shoe boxes should be wrapped in festive paper, with a £2 coin taped to the box, to go toward ferry and petrol costs.