And how you can help CLIC too ...

As well as readers donating online, by text and by post, you can set up fundraising events to help. Whether it’s at work, at school or at home here are some ideas to get you started and help bring this muchneeded service to Northern Ireland.

Instead of sending Christmas cards to your colleagues, teacher or friends, why not send a CLIC Sargent card or donate the amount you would have spent on cards?

Ask your boss to make a donation to CLIC Sargent instead of buying gifts for customers.

Hold a CLIC Sargent festive sweepstake. What will be the first Christmas song at your party?

Make a Christmas cake and ask colleagues to guess how much it weighs in return for a donation. The closest guess wins the pudding!

Hold a Christmas party and sell tickets, or organise a Christmasthemed pub quiz. Pay to enter a team and test your seasonal knowledge! Make sure you include some carol-oke …

Hold a Christmas coffee morning at home with friends and relatives.

Have a Christmas dress down day – make a donation to come to work or school in fancy dress! Why not have a prize for the best costume?

Hold a CLIC Sargent Secret Santa in your workplace — as well as gifts, participants make a £5 donation to CLIC Sargent.

Hold a Christmas bake sale and sell mince pies and mulled wine.

For information on fundraising ideas you can contact CLIC Sargent on 028 9072 5780. You can donate online at virgin money giving.com/ Belfast-Telegraph Christmas Appeal. Text CLIC04£ followed by the amount to 70070. Post cheques made payable to CLIC Sargent to CLIC Sargent Belfast Telegraph Christmas Appeal, 3rd Floor, 31 Bruce Street, Belfast BT2 7JD.