Family Appeal for Christmas gifts

The BBC's Sarah Travers was joined by Santa Claus at the launch

With Christmas approaching, two charities have launched their annual appeal for toys and gifts to help families in need across Northern Ireland.

The launch of the Family Appeal was hosted by Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Ekin.

It is a joint venture between the Salvation Army and the Society of St Vincent de Paul, supported by BBC Northern Ireland.

The Holy Family Primary School Choir, the Salvation Army Band and BBC Newsline presenter Sarah Travers were joined by Santa Claus himself for a seasonal start to the campaign.

Almost 10,000 children received presents from last year's appeal, which also distributed 3,219 hampers.

GIFT GUIDELINES New Safe Non-perishable Unwrapped Suitable for wide age range Full list of collection centres

Speaking at the launch, Aileen Coney of St Vincent de Paul said many people found themselves in a downward spiral of debt to cover the additional costs associated with Christmas.

"The Family Appeal offers very practical support to such families, thus ensuring that they can truly share in the festive season," she said.

Major Rik Pears, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army, said the two charities received many requests for food and clothing assistance throughout the year.

"We see at first hand how an extra gift really does make such a difference to families with so little," he said.

All gifts should be new, safe, non-perishable and unwrapped and suitable for all ages from babies to teenagers.

A family gift would also be very welcome, a game, a tin of biscuits, something that would encourage the family to be closer, would be very acceptable.

In order to enable the charities to pack and distribute the gifts in time for Christmas, the appeal organisers have asked that all gifts be left at collection points across the province by 15 December.

All applications to receive gifts should be submitted by 10 December.

Full details of collection centres can be found on Ceefax page 179.