Calling on your Support .....   click to enlarge The biggest appeal is the Family Appeal organised by the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army and sponsored by the BBC.     click to enlarge The launch was hosted by BBC Northern Ireland Controller Peter Johnston and Newsline's Sarah Travers with invited guests including Lord Mayor Cllr Tom Hartley and other council representatives from across Northern Ireland, along with Holy Family PS choir. Last year the appeal provided gifts for over 12,000 children and it is anticipated that there will be an equally high demand for support this year from families already struggling to make ends meet. SVP Regional Administrator Aileen Coney said it was a practical way of making Christmas brighter for many families..."We urge you to buy an extra gift and help make Christmas special for thousands of local children". Gifts can be left before Monday 15th December at any branch of the SVP or Salvation Army, Tesco, Asda, Alliance & Leicester, First Trust Bank, Open & Direct, Co-op Stores, Co-op Travel, Ulster Property Sales, Re/Max, Curves, Superdrug and anywhere you see the bright yellow family appeal posters. For more information 'Click Here' or go to Ceefax page 178

Society launches appeal for toys, hampers and donations in run-up to Christmas throughout Northern Ireland.   We are appealing to the public and business sectors to support us by donating gifts to the Family Appeal and our many Giving Trees and also in cash aid to our Street Collections in the run-up to Christmas.   Events kicked off at our annual Corporate Fundraiser in Belfast's Europa Hotel on Saturday 29th November. Around 200 people showed their support and well over £10,000 was raised on the night.   Cormac Wilson & Linda Savage of SVP with Lord Mayor Cllr Tom Hartley & Bishop Donal McKeown Group of Vincentians from SVP conferences in the Mid Ulster area at Europa Fundraiser click to enlarge   One of our largest Giving Trees will be in Marks & Spencer in Donegall Place, Belfast from 1st to 13th December where you can take a gift tag from the tree and return a suitable present.   This Giving Tree is jointly run by the SVP and our friends in Belfast Central Mission and is a truly cross community venture.   Belfast Central Mission click to enlarge   Last year's Giving Tree in Marks & Spencer provided gifts for many children in the greater Belfast area and we hope you will support it again this year.       Belfast Street Collection Saturday 6th December   Please support our annual city centre collection. All funds collected will go to help people in need.     SVP Week runs from Sunday 7th to Sunday 14th December which is SVP Sunday. Please support our special collections at all the Masses on this day throughout Northern Ireland when we will also be distributing our latest annual report.