LOTS of schools and churches are filling shoe boxes to send to orphanages in the Third World countries, and we at Trinity Church in Farnworth are no exception.

The hard work from church members, and children and parents, around the area was heartwarming to see. Ninety-five boxes were filled and, last Sunday evening, November 11, 70 were stolen.

This theft has left us heartbroken to say the least. The children in the orphanages have nothing until these little shoe boxes arrive, and a letter from one of the workers there has said they hang on to the boxes all through the 12 months, eagerly awaiting their next one.

We are reading about thefts from churches. At one time you could leave a church door open, never locked .

At Trinity Church, we have a Kiddies Club called "Funzone", for children aged eight to 12 years old. We encourage the community spirit. What are these mindless morons doing breaking into churches? I will ask the same old question -- "Do the parents know their children's whereabouts?"

If our "soft" laws continue, I fear for the future.

Jean Taylor

(Address supplied)