THE Journal is calling on its generous readers to spread Christmas cheer throughout the city by donating gifts for this year’s present appeal.

All it takes is for readers to choose an extra gift when doing their Christmas shopping, wrap it and attach a label saying if it is for a girl, boy, man or woman and giving a rough age of the person it is meant for.

This year we are asking for presents for people of all ages, with an emphasis on presents for men, which have been in short supply in previous years.

Gifts can be brought in to the Journal office in Rollestone Street and left at our Christmas drop-off point in reception.

For more than 25 years, the Journal has gathered gifts from kind-hearted readers and given them to charities to redistribute among those who would otherwise go without.

Many charities and organisations have handed out the presents in the past, including Salisbury Trust for the Homeless, the women’s refuge, Alabaré Christian Care and Morning Star, a charity that provides food and support for homeless people.

Other presents are distributed at Christmas lunches for the elderly and infirm, vulnerable people in supported living and the children’s unit at Salisbury District Hospital.

The final date for drop-off will be December 16.

Journal publisher Bill Browne said: “We ask you all to think of gifts for all ages so that we can bring a little joy to those who usually miss out at this time of the year.

“We are always surprised by the generosity of our readers, and some have already began donating presents for this year’s appeal.”