On the first day of Christmas, my neighbour brought to me...

MANY neighbours intend to bring some festive cheer by checking on the elderly, donating to food banks and helping others with their shopping, a study has found.

Researchers say the festive spirit is alive and well according to a poll of 2,000 people.

It found that nearly four in 10 are planning to do something kind for the community.

Other thoughtful acts include, donating unwanted items to the disadvantaged, spending time with the lonely and giving money to charity. Commissioned by O2 and

carried out by OnePoll, it also found 54 per cent were inspired to do more for others after the tough times of this year.

A spokesman for O2 said: “It’s certainly been a tricky year so it’s

wonderful to see so many people are going out of their way to help others who need it the most.

“It can be very lonely for a lot of people, especially at this time of year, so these good deeds will

definitely be appreciated and go a really long way.” The study also found 58 per cent will be doing a good deed for the first time in their community at Christmas.

And for almost two- thirds, it is something they want to continue into next year. The average adult helps out in their area three times a year and almost four in 10 regret not helping out sooner.

Looking out for those most vulnerable and wanting to give back to the local community were the key reasons for doing something good this year.

But 47 per cent said they did it because they thought of someone being lonely at Christmas.

Almost all told researchers they knew someone who is or has been affected by loneliness while six in 10 said they had felt lonely themselves at one point.