|PIC1|The loveable talking vegetable characters, the VeggieTales, have joined forces with the UK’s largest shoebox appeal, Operation Christmas Child, to encourage families to put compassion at the heart of the ‘recession-hit’ Christmas.

Last year over 1.2 million gift-filled shoeboxes were sent to children in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia with the help of around 8,000 volunteers in the UK.

Simon Barrington, Executive Director of Samaritan’s Purse - the charity which runs Operation Christmas Child - appealed to people to give what they could again this year.

“This Christmas, let’s show the world that Christians stand for compassion, regardless of the circumstances," he said.

"Over the past twenty years of Operation Christmas Child, our experience has been when people come together to show compassion to ‘the least of these’, they discover hidden treasures in simply giving what they can.

"What’s more, the VeggieTales DVD is a great way of helping youngsters understand that giving to others is a fundamental part of their faith – and that it can be fun, too.”

Joining the call for ‘compassion at Christmas’ is Gareth Russell, Managing Director of Authentic Media, which last week launched the new VeggieTales DVD, Saint Nicholas – A Story of Joyful Giving.

|PIC2|“The new VeggieTales DVD shows children here in the UK how they can reach out to others around the world with the love of Jesus. It also teaches them a valuable lesson - that it’s better to give than to receive.

"We hope the families who enjoy watching this new VeggieTales story will be encouraged to give to others and we believe that Operation Christmas Child is a great way to do just that.”

As part of their partnership, Samaritan’s Purse and Authentic Media are also challenging people to come up with ways to ‘give Christmas away’ to those in need. Ideas can be found and submitted at www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/givethischristmasaway

During October and November, thousands of churches, schools and workplaces from across the UK will be filling shoeboxes with gifts and taking them to designated drop off points between November 1 and November 18.

Churches wishing to take part in this year’s Operation Christmas Child should phone 0870 011 2002 or visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk to order their free resources, which include a guide on how local churches can use Operation Christmas Child to connect with their community in the run-up to Christmas.