The annual Shepton Mallet Christmas Shoebox Appeal is back at Tesco, inviting residents to donate items that will bring a little joy and comfort to vulnerable children and adults in Bulgaria and Serbia.

The charity behind the appeal, which distributes the boxes to abandoned children living in orphanages, poor rural schools, and kindergartens, as well as to women's refuges, the elderly, and refugee centres, is once again calling on the generosity of the community. A donation bin has been set up behind the tills at Tesco, where locals can drop off items until Monday, 11 November.

"Following our eye-opening and life-changing trip to distribute the boxes in 2019, we are again supporting a local charity which sends shoeboxes to Bulgaria and Serbia," said the organisers, adding that they hope to repeat the experience again in the future.

Unlike many other appeals, this one is not just for children. "Something that we really love about this project is that they send shoeboxes to adults as well as children in need," they said.

Residents are being asked to donate toiletries (excluding aerosols), warm socks, stationery, sweets, toys such as balls, bubbles, and dolls, as well as household items like candles, sewing kits, and baby products including babygros, teethers, bibs, and wipes. The group says these small items can make a real difference to people living in challenging circumstances.

"If you are shopping and feel able to add something extra to your trolley and then pop it in the collection bin behind the tills, we would be hugely grateful—it really does make a massive difference," the spokesperson added.

For those who want to get involved and help spread a little Christmas cheer to those less fortunate, now is the perfect time to pick up a few extra items and drop them in the shoebox appeal bin on your next trip to the store.