JOURNAL readers have again shown their incredible generosity with this year’s Christmas present appeal bringing in a massive 1,200 gifts.

Despite another tough year financially for a lot of people, Salisbury residents have dug deep to show the spirit of giving with the most successful appeal to date.

Editor and publisher Bill Browne said: “The week after we announced the success of the CT Scanner Campaign, it’s heartening to see the generosity of our readers again in supporting this Christmas gift appeal. We don’t have to work hard now because it’s a tradition here and people start bringing in presents before we ask.”

Now in its 24th year, the Journal gives the gifts to local charities to distribute to Salisbury’s most needy, who might otherwise not get any Christmas presents, and Mr Browne thanked them for the role they play in making sure the presents get to the people who really need them.

This year The Trussell Trust, Salisbury Trust for the Homeless, the women’s refuge, Alabaré Christian Care, Morning Star and the Wilton Christian Fellowship collected gifts for the people they help and thanked readers for their kindness.

Angela Burrows from Alabaré’s Barnabas House said: “The home I work in is for women and a couple of them are staying over Christmas. They have nowhere to go and probably wouldn’t have any presents. It’s absolutely amazing that the people of Salisbury have done this.”

Hannah Bruford from Alabaré Place added: “For some people it’s the only present they get and they can’t believe it, it’s really important.”

The Wilton Christian Fellowship collected presents for lonely elderly people in the community. Those fit enough go to the community centre and get a Christmas lunch and their present but Marion Powell said the gift is especially important for the housebound people. Volunteers take them a Christmas box with their lunch, dinner and a present from the Journal appeal and that will probably be the only person they will see to say ‘Happy Christmas’ to them.

Bev Kidley from Morning Star, a charity which provides food and support for the homeless, said the presents mean a lot to the people they help, especially those who are sleeping rough. “It brings a little bit of Christmas cheer to them.”