The helpers from the Blythswood Care Shoe Appeal at the local headquarters in Fullarton Connexions in Irvine ranged in age from 95-year-old Jean Bell to two-year-old Liliana Turner.
Some 7,116 boxes were made up from across Ayrshire to be delivered to Moldova and war-torn Ukraine. They included a selection of hats, scarves, sweets, toiletries and socks.
Since the first national Shoe Box Appeal in 1993 nationally more than 2.7 million boxes have been sent – each one an expression of care and kindness towards a stranger in need.
They have been filled with small, practical items such as toiletries, stationery, and clothing. The individually-wrapped boxes have been distributed in schools, hospitals, orphanages and care homes, and to households in very low income communities.
Many have gone to people affected by the war in Ukraine.
Thomas Turner, dad of Liliana, who ran the Irvine-based appeal with wife Candace, was delighted with the effort across Ayrshire.
He said: “The boxes were packed in the first three weeks in November and went to Moldova and Ukraine to the people who need it most.
“We gathered in boxes locally from as far down as Girvan and up to Gourock and the Isle of Arran and a team of drivers took them over from Irvine.
“We are really grateful for the help we got as we could not do it without the volunteers.
“We had some new faces helping this year and others who have been coming for a while.
“Once they get involved it is hard to get away but we also have new volunteers coming along every year. Thanks to everyone.”