OUR readers are getting into the Christmas spirit by donating gifts for some of the area's neediest children.

The annual Caring Christmas Appeal, run by the Bolton Evening News and the Bolton Lions' Club, was launched last week.

The aim of the appeal is to ensure hundreds of children from needy families get gifts on Christmas Day.

And already readers have sent in cheques as well as boxes of toys and other gifts.

Chorley Old Road United Reformed Church held a coffee morning and raised £100.

Businesses have been generous, too. Book publishers including Simon and Schuster UK, William Heinemann, Frederick Warne and Co and The Women's Press have sent in a variety of books.

Boots and Nivea press offices have sent a selection of beauty products and Barrington Harvey has delivered computer games.

Toys have come from the Pittilla Press and PR Agency and from the HPS-PR Agency.

Haydock Park Racecourse has supplied two complimentary passes for any race meeting next year which will be raffled in aid of the appeal. And Hollywood Bowl at Middlebrook has provided two family bowling memberships.

Edwards and Co Estate Agents have sent a bottle of wine and Mark Forrest and Co Conservatories in Westhoughton have provided a variety of goodies. But the campaign needs more, from second-hand toys to items which can be used as raffle prizes.

Many parents contact the Caring Christmas campaign, either directly or through local organisations and agencies to ask for help at this time of year.

Requests for help include one from a father who was left alone to bring up his three children after the death of his wife earlier this year, and one from a mother who has seen the letter to Santa sent by her son, but cannot afford to buy any of the requests.

Please send any donations to Caring Christmas Appeal, Angela Kelly, Features Editor, Bolton Evening News, Churchgate, Bolton. BL1 1DE. Cheques or postal orders can be made out to Bolton Lions.