FOR many children Christmas will not be a time of happiness. There are many youngsters for whom the festive season is a time of sadness and loss. This can be for a number of reasons including poverty and loneliness. While many kids are lucky to have hundreds of pounds spent on them, others live in cash-strapped households where all money goes on food or paying for heating.

So today the Hampshire Chronicle is asking readers to help in two ways. One is to donate £20 to the NSPCC's Childline to help pay for its vital counselling service.

We highlight the issue on page 46 and the link-up of the Chronicle's publisher Newsquest with the NSPCC. Sir Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: “There were almost 5,500 counselling sessions delivered by Childline to children and young people last Christmas, over the phone and online. “At a time when children should be asking about Santa and when they can open their presents, thousands of children need support on how to stay safe from abuse, how to cope, and how to stop feeling so lonely. Our partnership with Newsquest Media Group this year has been a fantastic way to share important information about our services and campaigns."

Newsquest and the NSPCC have also worked together to create a special Amazon wish list for toys which can be used during counselling sessions. Readers can log on and pick the gift that they would like to give these children. To access the wish list, go to bit. ly/3YRJJ55.

More locally the other way to help is to support Project Secret Santa which is encouraging people and businesses to donate gifts to vulnerable children, from ages three to 18. Signs and posters have been popping up across the city in the initiative set up by Winchester mum Georgina Abbott. She aims to help 1,800 children with a stocking of presents.

Please support both initiatives and help to spread some joy and light into dark places this Christmas.