Barbara Raine, chief executive officer for Real Aid, said its warehouse may be filling up with festive boxes destined for children in Sierra Leone but it is not too late to contribute to the appeal.

Gift boxes can include such gifts as colouring books and crayons, notebooks or exercise books, pens and pencils, chalk, skipping ropes or balls, soap and facecloths, toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs, small first aid kits or plasters, new underwear, stocking fillers, puzzles or small toys (no batteries).

You may also like to send a card but please write in print and keep it simple so it can be understood.

Please pack neatly into a shoe box marked ‘Girl’ or ‘Boy’ together with the appropriate age.

The box can be wrapped in decorative paper but please ensure the lid is wrapped separately and is not sealed.

Gift boxes can be delivered to Real Aid shops in Driffield, Beverley, Bridlington, Hornsea, Hessle, Newland Avenue in Hull or at the head office at Unit 4-8, Riverside Works, Hull Bridge Road, Tickton.

To arrange bulk group collections from schools, groups and businesses, telephone (01482) 880660.

To comply with customs regulations, please do not pack chocolate, sweets or any food items, war-related toys, anything sharp or breakable.

If possible a donation of £1 or £2, taped to the top of the box, would be most welcome to help towards the transport costs.

It costs Real Aid about £4,000 to ship and distribute a 40ft container.

For further details, visit the Real Aid website at www.realaid.org.uk or telephone (01482) 880660.