by Saiqa Chaudhari BIG-HEARTED Bolton folk will be spreading some festive cheer this Christmas to those less fortunate than themselves.

People have donated a record-breaking 9,886 shoeboxes full of presents for Romanian orphans.

A packed lorry is now on its way to its destination.

David Hawes, volunteer for Operation Christmas Child, said: “This is the best collection we have had. Last year we collected 8,400 boxes.

“The number of boxes reflects how compassionate local people are for others who are in less fortunate circumstances.

“The amount of parcels they have put together really is a credit to them given the present economic climate. People in Bolton are still prepared to help others even if we are in a credit crunch.”

Since the beginning of November, schools, churches, businesses and individuals all over the borough have thrown their support behind Operation Christmas Child, filling the boxes with everyday basic items and toys.

The boxes have been dropped off at various collection points including The Entertainer Store in Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich, before being stored in a unit, given free of charge by the retail park’s managers. Mr Hawes, who lives in Horwich, said: “The items in the boxes will make a real difference to the children who receive them.

“We would consider them basic items but for those children, stationery and items like toothpaste is a luxury.”

The town’s support of Operation Christmas Child has led to the Bolton being given its own distribution centre four years ago. Before all parcels were sent to a Greater Manchester depot.

Heather Ingham, Middlebrook’s marketing and public relations executive, said: “We were more than happy to help store the parcels.

“It was wonderful so many were collected and I think the size of one of our units were needed to store them in until they were ready for delivery.”