Christmas was made a little brighter for a homeless boy in Belarus after he received a box full of gifts from a Darwen teenager.

The child was one of thousands of disadvantaged children who received a decorated shoe box as part of an international campaign to help under privileged youngsters.

But unlike many of those who sent boxes, 15-year-old Samantha Aspden, a pupil at Darwen Vale High School, has received a photograph and thanks from her recipient after she included a return address for herself in the box.

Samantha, 15, from Darwen Vale, decided to cheer up a child as part of the appeal which her school got involved with.

Operation Christmas Child: The Shoebox Appeal was organised by international charity Samaritan's Purse and a team of volunteers from the charity travelled to Russia earlier this month to hand over gifts.

Samantha's box included teddy bears, toiletries and toys, as well as a long letter describing herself and her interests, such as sports and climbing trees.

She also included a photo of herself, her brother Robert and three-year-old sister Abigail.

In her letter she said: "I would love to know about you. I hope you like the things I have sent and get much enjoyment out of them. Have a nice Christmas and if possible please write back as I would like to keep in touch."The volunteers were so touched by her letter they took a photograph of the little boy who received it.

Steve Whaley, a spokesman for Samaritan's Purse, said: "We took about 200,000 boxes to Belarus which meant 200,000 smiling faces which was fantastic to see.

"I don't know the background to the little boy in the photograph or his name but the boxes were generally given to orphans, street children living in the sewers, refugees and children taken from their families for their own safety.

"It is brilliant for Samantha to be able to put a face to the person who received her gifts because often people don't find out where gifts go."

Year 11 pupil Samantha is hoping to hear from the boy and find out more about him.

More than 150 shoeboxes were sent to children from Darwen Vale as part of the appeal run by the school's charity co-ordinator Kay Ramsay.