Giving the gift of good this Christmas

There’s so many ways to choose an amazing present this festive season that’s sustainable, affordable and will make you and the recipient feel wonderful. As our inboxes and letterboxes quickly become clogged with catalogues and special offers which promise to provide the perfect Christmas gift, take a moment and think about how you can really give the gift of good.

From rolling up your sleeve to donate blood or plasma, to offering to sort goods for a charity shop, volunteering to coach a local junior sporting side, delivering Meals on Wheels, getting involved in adult literacy, helping local teens build up their skills and road time to obtain their driver’s licence, or having a cuppa with a lonely neighbour, there’s many hundreds of ways you can make someone’s world a much better place.

All without buying something that will need dusting or end up in landfill.

If the last few years of the pandemic have taught us one thing, it’s the importance of community.

Too many in the Far North have experienced the effects of loneliness, the never-ending rising cost of living or the utter despair of the housing crisis.

And it’s been the efforts of those individuals and those vital not-for-profit organisations in our region who have stepped up and offered a helping hand, a willing shoulder and an open heart to assist those most vulnerable, who are the real heroes in our community.

As we navigate the final days of 2022 and look ahead to the festive season and new year, consider how you can give the gift of good and make a difference.

We all have the ability to reach out and make a difference - the first step is to recognise it starts with you.