Editorial: Christmas Appeal - a time for giving

Christmas decorations are going up in the stores, people are starting to talk about their plans for the festive season. Some may even be organised enough to already have their plans finalised and the shopping part done.

The build-up to Christmas and the summer holidays is an exciting time for many people - but not everyone has much to look forward to.

Now, as most of us plan for our holidays and our Christmas shopping and our festive season family get-togethers, is a good time to think about people less fortunate than ourselves. There are many people who, through no fault of their own, struggle to survive day to day.

The Daily Post is asking people to give generously to the newspaper's annual Christmas appeal, which this year is benefiting food banks in our region.

The good people who work for the Salvation Army food bank help so many people in need throughout the year but often struggle to keep up with the demand for their services. Recently they have had to resort to buying cans of food and they expect the demand for food parcels to increase as the holiday season rolls in.

Of course, there are many worthy causes, charities and organisations but, given the continuing tough economic times which so many people are struggling through, it was decided that the food banks would not only benefit local families but enable more people to give.

Not everyone can afford to give money but perhaps a can or two of food for the food banks is possible.

Locals have always been extremely generous to whichever cause has been the recipient of the appeal and we hope you will be able to do the same this year.