BIG-HEARTED Huddersfield people have been given 13,000 thank-yous for helping to bring Christmas joy to deprived children.
That's how many shoeboxes crammed full of gifts have been collected for youngsters in Belarus.
Project co-ordinator Judith Powell said: "There are a lot of very generous people around. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd get this much."
A lorry carrying the shoeboxes to eastern Europe set off on Saturday from the local collection HQ at Meltham Mills.
Volunteers have collected boxes from schools, churches, firms, community groups and individuals.
Their work was part of Operation Christmas Child, a national appeal run by Samaritan's Purse, a Christian organisation.
Mrs Powell said: "It's been a mammoth task and we're all tired, but we're sure the gifts will be very much appreciated."
* A Huddersfield charity is sending much-needed aid to children in Africa.
The Christian African Relief Trust (Cart) on Summer Street, Lockwood, will be sending another container of aid to the continent in the next few days.
Gordon Dawson, the charity's secretary, said it sent 27 containers of aid last year and would be sending 26 this year.
He added: "The aid, which is made up of clothes, medical supplies, mattresses and educational supplies, is given by individuals, churches, schools and businesses.
"We visited Moshi Technical School in Tanzania and the dormitories were short of mattresses. The ones they had had seen better days."
Mr Dawson said some of the mattresses - given by Huddersfield firm Deluxe Beds - would also be used in hospitals.
n nearly ready Charity worker David Millam with some of the mattresses which will be sent to Africa
