THE most powerful Christmas stories are those about giving. In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge learns happiness through generosity and in Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl a small child dies because no one reached out to help her.

And at the Tribune we are asking for you to reach out a hand and help the most vulnerable this festive season with our Christmas hamper appeal.

For the past five years we have been giving out hampers stuffed full of festive goodies to elderly residents in the borough who live alone.

We hope to do the same this year, but we need your help. Adverts and shows on television usually paint the festive season as a jolly time where people are surrounded by their families with bellies full of food and cheer. But Christmas time can prove to be one of loneliest seasons for the most vulnerable in society.

There’s also the parents already struggling to get by without the added pressure of buying their kids presents. We want to take the pressure off them a little by presenting them with a hamper they can take delight in.

This week, Town Hall leader Councillor Richard Watts has backed our appeal. He said: “Well done to the Tribune for your fantastic work helping elderly people this Christmas. One of the brilliant things about Islington is the strength of the community and thank you to all Tribune readers who have contributed to the cause already.”

We also want to thank you for your generous donation and if you know anyone who might benefit from a hamper please email us: hamperappeal@islingtontribune.com

You can send a cheque to ‘Camden Journal Hamper Fund’, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR, or donate by clicking on the button below: