Wagga Church of Christ Committee for Operation Christmas Child Samaritan's Purse organiser Cheryl Stewart said the organisation sends shoeboxes full of gifts to "poorer" children in countries such as Cambodia and The Philippines.

Six members of the Men's Shed put their woodturning skills to use to produce 350 skipping rope handles from plantation pine to aid the cause.

John Mason took on the task with enthusiasm.

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"It took about 20 minutes to make the first one but we got it down to about six minutes," Mr Mason said.

"It took six of us about a month just working for a couple of hours at a time.

"I went into the workshop and told them we were going to make these and everyone walked away, but they all came on board in the end."

Mrs Stewart thanked the men for their co-operation, friendship, expertise and pride in their work.

"Our church fills boxes with gifts and a truck picks them up from a collection point and they get sent overseas," she said.

"It's wonderful to see the smile on the children's faces - we have DVDs of them when they receive their gifts."

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