A BOROUGH football club has thrown its weight behind a Christmas appeal.

East Thurrock United first team manager Marc Harrison has organised the action and says: "We are running a wrapped shoe box appeal from the club this year, to provide Christmas gifts to vulnerable children and families.

"All gender and ages are taken including elderly boxes which can be left at the Rocks Bar in Rookery Hill, or brought along to a home game.

"We will be accepting boxes up to Sunday, 20 November. Please get involved and help those less fortunate than ourselves.

To contribute use an empty shoe (or similar size) box or two, fill it with suitable goodies, wrap it in gift paper, stick a label on it detailing kids gender and age range, or if OAP just the gender and word OAP.

Kids boxes will go to the "Samaritan's Purse" charity, and they have a link to what's accepted and what's not, which you can access via this link.

OAP boxes will be distributed through local churches.