AFTER Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when people frantically try to grab the best deal, thankfully we have #Giving Tuesday on December 1.

Helen And Douglas House, the children’s and young adults’ hospice caring for families and young adults in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties, is supporting #Giving Tuesday.

We feel it is a fantastic opportunity, at the start of the Christmas shopping frenzy, to show why it’s good to give, that people like to give and want to make a difference for others, whether it’s through volunteering or donating.

Christmas is a special time of year for everyone, but for many families with a child with a life-shortening condition, this can be a very difficult time.

Whether they are mourning the loss of a child, or trying to juggle Christmas preparations, this can be a stressful time when they need the support and specialist care Helen And Douglas House provides.

So we are asking local people to get behind #Giving Tuesday, and have a pre-Christmas clear-out of their unwanted clothes, books and other items to donate to their local Helen And Douglas House charity shop.

Will you join us and make a difference for families who use the hospice service?

You can take your unwanted goods to your local Helen And Douglas House shop in Swindon or find your nearest shop at www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/shop/Map/ As a charity Helen And Douglas House relies almost entirely on donations to support children and their families and we could not be here for them without your help.

For more information or to make an online gift visit www.helenanddouglas.org.uk BOBBIE STORMONT Helen & Douglas House