Final day for Family Appeal

New toys can be left at the collection points

Friday marks the last day for gift contributions to the annual Family Appeal at Christmas.

People in Northern Ireland have been thinking of those less well off as their Christmas shopping gets into full swing.

The annual appeal, run by charities St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army, in conjunction with the BBC, is gathering Christmas gifts for families in need.

Among those who have already been helping out are the members of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

Christian bikers have been gathering presents

They have been collecting gifts of all shapes and sizes and have already delivered them to the Salvation Army to be distributed.

People across Northern Ireland have been donating presents to the appeal at various centres - however, there is still time to drop in a gift.

Presents should be new, safe, non-perishable and unwrapped, and for children of all ages from babies to teenagers.

Family gifts such as games or tins of biscuits are also acceptable.

BBC Joint Family Appeal collection points
Click for the details

Colm McNicholl of St Vincent de Paul the response to the appeal as "unbelieveable".

"The toys, the gifts and the food have just come pouring in from all communities, age groups, from rich and from poor.

"As a result, thousands of children will get a toy at Christmas when they normally wouldn't have."

Pamela Neill of the Salvation Army said every year the public responded to the appeal by the giving of a gift for a child unknown to them.

"This speaks volumes to us. We work with families 365 days a year and know the problems that they have to endure and it is a privilege to act as a conduit from those slightly better off to those less comfortable, particularly at Christmas," she said.