Salvation Army kicks off Christmas Present Appeal

The Salvation Army is asking people to light up the lives of thousands of children, families and older people by donating a gift to its nationwide Christmas Present Appeal, which got underway on Friday.

Branches of the Salvation Army will be working hard until Sunday 16 December to collect the gifts and distribute them to those in need within their local communities.

Older people will be able to receive their gifts at special Christmas lunch events being put on by Salvation Army branches around the nation to give them some extra festive cheer.

The Salvation Army's Christmas Present Appeal is being held in partnership with ASDA stores in certain parts of the country, while 130 Superdrug stores across the south and west of England and Wales have offered their stores as collection points.