'Operation Christmas Child' lands in Ireland

The world's largest cargo aircraft, Antoy 124, will arrive at Dublin airport today as part of Operation Christmas Child. The aircraft will be loaded with shoeboxes full of gifts, put together by Irish school children for the underprivileged children in Tiblisi, Georgia.

The Operation Christmas Child appeal is an annual appeal for Christmas gifts for children who have been affected by war, poverty or natural disasters. Some six million suffering children, in more than 100 countries on six continents, will receive personal, gift-filled shoe boxes through this kids-helping-kids project. For many of these children, the gift will be the first present they have ever received.

The shoe boxes have been filled and donated by millions of people in 10 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Finland.

The appeal is organised by the Samaritan's Purse and their staff and partners will hand-deliver the shoe box gifts to the children. Last year 56,000 boxes were sent from Ireland.