But, for many people, the festive season can be particularly depressing, especially if they live alone. This year, The Evening Telegraph has, once again, teamed up with Age Concern Peterborough, to bring Christmas cheer to the elderly through its tins appeal. Features editor Julia Ogden explains how you can get involved. See collection points for the appeal.

Most of us look forward to Christmas. We cherish the time when we can come together with family and friends to share food, give presents and relax.

But, for others, Christmas is a depressing time of the year, a time which emphasises their loneliness and isolation, a time when they are filled with dread.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine spending Christmas Day all alone. You have no family or friends to celebrate with, no presents to open, no decorations of cards put up around your home?

In fact, there is nothing to indicate this day is any different from the 364 others of the year.

Depressing thought, isn't it?


Collection points for the appeal are:

• Age Concern Peterborough main offices at the Lindens, 86 Lincoln Road, Peterborough.


• Age Concern shop in Bretton, Peterborough.


• Age Concern Shop in Werrington, Peterborough.


• Age Concern Shop in Millfield (Lincoln Road) Senior Stop in Cattle Market Road, Peterborough.


• Reception at The Evening Telegraph's offices in Priestgate,Peterborough.


• Sainsbury's in Bretton, Peterborough.


• Marshfield School, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough.


• Perkins Engines, Boongate, Peterborough.


• The Black Swan, Farcet, near Peterborough.


• Caring Kindergarten, Lynch Wood. Peterborough.


• The BGL Group, Orton Southgate, Peterborough.


• The Passport Office, Northminster Road, Peterborough.

Make a donation: Please make cheques payable to: Age Concern Peterborough and send them to The Lindens, 86 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE21 2SN.

Visit Age Concern Peterborough's website - www.acpeterborough.org.uk/.


Well, this is the reality for hundreds, if not thousands, of elderly people living in the Peterborough area.

These people often feel like the long forgotten members of society – but The Evening Telegraph and Age Concern Peterborough are determined to pass on some Christmas goodwill.

How can you help? By spending just a pound or so extra next time you are shopping in a supermarket before Christmas and donating tins of food to various collection points around the city.

Fund-raiser for Age Concern Peterborough, Jane Grant said: "Even in 2008 there are older people who will be alone at Christmas.

"Many of them are isolated, without the support of families, friends, or neighbours, and unable to get to the shops for various reasons.

"It is actually quite harrowing when you visit some of these elderly people. They often say they don't bother to put up Christmas cards or decorations because it just reminds them of the things they haven't got.

"We try to help give them a little bit of Christmas cheer with our Christmas Tins Appeal."

The appeal has now been running for 22 years and this year the charity is being supported by many businesses and schools including Perkins Engins, the BGL group, Churchill and RBS and Caring Kindergarten.

One school which has just joined the campaign is Marshfield Special School in Dogsthorpe and students there will help collect, pack and deliver the tins.

Chief executive of Age Concern Peterborough Pat Strachan said: "Each year we have been able to provide up to 400 older people with parcels of seasonal food for which they are always delighted.

"Just to have something special at Christmas lets them know they are not forgotten.

"The things we need to make up the Christmas parcels are tins of nourishing food such as meat, fish, soup, tinned fruit and vegetables and beverages.

"We always like to put in some festive such as like chocolates, biscuits, mince pies, or a small cake just to make it special."

The charity also urges donators to make sure the items are within their best before dates, and asks that you remember the older people who receive the goods are often living alone and usually cannot manage family-sized tins or packets of food – smaller items are preferable.

All the donations need to be received by December 12 at the latest to give the volunteers and staff time to assemble the parcels and to get them delivered before Christmas.

Age Concern Peterborough also said donations of money would also be appreciated for last minute shopping trips to top up the parcels and provide a balance of items delivered.

Please make cheques payable to: Age Concern Peterborough and send them to The Lindens, 86 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE21 2SN.

Elsewhere online:
Visit Age Concern Peterborough's website - www.acpeterborough.org.uk/.