GENEROUS Salisbury people have donated more gifts for orphaned children than ever before, despite the difficulties many are facing themselves.

If donations had gone down it wouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone given the current economic circumstances, but instead the charity saw a 36 per cent increase in the number of boxes donated to its Shoebox Appeal, 1,400 more than last year.

The boxes are now on their way to Bulgaria where they will be given out to children in orphanages who might not otherwise have any gifts to open this Christmas.

Richard Parsons from the trust said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated and all the volunteers who helped to sort and pack. There are going to be a lot of happy children in Bulgaria.”

Mr Parsons said he believes that rather than putting people off donating, the economic difficulties facing many have encouraged them to be more generous.

“Throughout the trust we have seen the increased difficulties people are facing,” he said. “A lot of people have lost their jobs or realised there is very little job security and they are empathising more. They are realising anyone can end up struggling.”

The Trussell Trust will now be able to increase the number of places they visit and will be distributing boxes at a centre for youngsters whose mothers are in jail.

The charity, based in Salisbury, will also be helping people in the city this Christmas through its foodbanks.