CHRISTMAS should be a time of joy and happiness but the current economic climate is certain to bring gloom and despair to many Bolton families this festive season.

The credit crunch is set to make this year’s Caring Christmas campaign more poignant than ever as families struggle to pay bills — without the added strain of buying presents.

We know it will be a difficult time for our readers, who always dig deep to help needy families and have done for the 27 years we have been involved with this appeal, but we hope they will be able to help us bring some happiness to under-privileged local children again this Christmas time.

Each year, in conjunction with local charity Bolton Lions, The Bolton News appeals to you, our readers, for help in making needy children smile on Christmas morning.

Without your kind donations of toys, and money to buy gifts, there would be hundreds of youngsters without a present to open on December 25.

We know this year will be particularly hard for most of us as the credit crunch starts to bite but think of those families who cannot even afford to buy a small toy for their child’s stocking.

Each amount donated, however small, will help Bolton Lions buy toys for underprivileged children and each toy donated will go to an appreciative home.

Bolton Lions work tirelessly all year round, organising fund-raising events to ensure they have money put aside when it comes to this special time of year.

This is when the hard work really starts as the members — many of whom are retired — man collection boxes and help wrap presents ready for distribution.

Each present and penny donated will benefit a child in the Bolton area.

There are children like five-year-old Amy. Her father has been made redundant and her mother left home last year after suffering a severe bout of depression. Dad cannot afford to buy presents for Amy and her younger brother, George, aged three. He said: “The children see advertisements on television and they want everything they see. How do I explain to them that I can’t afford it?”

It is not just the younger children though who need help. Gifts like make-up, small electrical goods, footballs and sportswear can all make great presents for teenagers. Younger children will be delighted to receive dolls, toy cars and fun games.

Donations of money will be gratefully received by Bolton Lions who can then go out and choose presents.

A group of Bolton Lions — with wives accompanying them for help choosing girls’ toys — went to Copes Cash and Carry in Manchester and filled trolleys with toys, games and gifts for local youngsters.

Although they don’t yet know the children they are buying for, the gifts they have chosen will be gratefully received by struggling Bolton families.

But they still need many more toys and gifts and with your help they can make this Christmas a very special one.

To donate take presents along to any of the collection points listed, including The Bolton News offices, or ring one of the Bolton Lions who can collect.

Cheques can be sent to The Bolton News, made payable to Bolton Lions, and addressed to The Features Department.