The presents, donated by caring local people, will be sent to places like Vanuatu, Fiji, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.

Co-ordinator Lyn Fitch said each shoebox is packed full of age-appropriate gifts.

Mrs Fitch said each box contains something for school, something to love, something to wear and something for hygiene. 

The gifts are divided into the age categories 2-4, 5-9 and 10-14.

“Some of these children have never received a gift before,” Mrs Fitch said.

“They are so excited to receive anything, even a toothbrush. In some countries shoes and thongs are also treasured.”

Mrs Fitch said school supplies in particular are really important because in many cases that is what allows a child to participate.

The packages will be distributed by international relief organisation Samaritan’s Purse as part of Operation Christmas Child. 

Some of the villages that will receive the boxes from Bathurst are so remote the  parcels will arrive in a canoe or on horseback.

The Christian Life Centre has been serving as the drop-off point for the donations. 

Mrs Fitch said the boxes have now all been filled and are ready to go. 

“We are so thankful for all the people in the community who spent their time over the past year putting together items to go into the boxes,” she said.

“There will be so many happy children as a result of their kindness.”

More than 130 countries have participated in the project since 1993. During that time more than one million shoeboxes have been delivered all over the world.