JOURNAL readers have once again shown their generous side and their community spirit to make sure those less fortunate than themselves do not go without a present on Christmas Day in the latest Gift Appeal.

Hundreds of gifts have been donated again this year, to be handed out to vulnerable people in the city.

Presents have been given to Salisbury Women’s Refuge, The Salvation Army, Salisbury Hospice, the children’s ward at Salisbury District Hospital, Alabare homeless charity and many more.

Vicky Crawford collected gifts for the Salvation Army in Salt Lane: “It’s been absolutely fantastic.

“We are thankful to the public for supporting families in the area. It is brilliant.

“We are also helping out with the [Salisbury City] Children’s Centre and we are donating some of the presents to them as well to support the children there.

“All year round we are helping and supporting homeless people in the area as well, so we try and make sure we’ve got quite a lot things to give people not only at Christmas time.

“Christmas is a very intense time for a lot of people, so we try and do the best we can.”

Nicky Nicholas from the Women’s Refuge said: “Like everyone else we’ve had our funding cut and we rely on donations all year round, so this is incredible, absolutely incredible.

“It’s really difficult to be in refuge at Christmas, nobody wants to be there, but the very generous people of Salisbury and the surrounding areas make it so much better and so much easier.

“This will mean children will have presents that otherwise they would’ve gone without.”

Harvey Taylor from Alabaré, a charity supporting homeless adults, young people, veterans and those with learning disabilities, said: “It is fantastic to see the support we get from the people of Salisbury, and it is obviously really appreciated this time of year that people are willing to engage with our services and bring some added festive cheer at Christmas which is good for some of our service users who have led some chaotic lives.

“Everyone at Alabare is really appreciative of the support we receive.”

John Proctor, collecting presents for Syrian refugees, said: “This is incredibly generous from the people of Salisbury.

“This will help the Syrian refugees to feel like they are welcomed into the community.

“They came with nothing when they arrived here with nothing just over a year ago, so this will mean a lot to them.”

Bill Browne, Salisbury Journal’s publisher, said: “In a city that’s had a lot thrown at this year, Salisbury still shines out for its generosity.

“Each year our loyal followers come forward with gifts for people of all ages even before we put the appeal online and in the newspaper.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed, whether it is through donations or by being one of the charities who arrange the distribution. I’d like to thank my marvellous team at the Journal too because they are the cog in the middle that makes it all happen, not just at Christmas but throughout the year. It’s heartening to know that quite a few people will have a better Christmas this year due to the thoughtfulness of others.”