The Family Appeal is one of the largest of Christmas present appeals in Northern Ireland and has been bringing festive cheer to thousands of underprivileged children and families since 1980.

Last year's appeal distributed around 50,000 gifts – all of which was made possible by the generosity of local people and organisations.

How to support your local appeal

Gift donations for children aged from newborn to 16 years are welcome at all SVP and Salvation Army locations as well as in Tesco stores, Gordons Chemists, Visit Belfast Welcome Centre and at the following Translink bus and rail stations:

• Antrim Bus Station

• Armagh Bus Station

• Banbridge Bus Station

• Bangor Train Station

• Carrick Bus Station

• Coleraine Bus Station

• Derry Foyle Street Bus Station

• Downpatrick Bus Station

• Dungannon Bus Station

• Enniskillen Bus Station

• Europa Bus Station

• Lanyon Place Station

• Lisburn Bus Station

• Newry Bus Station

• Omagh Bus Station

All gifts must be new and unwrapped and the Appeal would especially welcome donations for older boys and girls; such as gift vouchers, board games, selection boxes, and toiletries.

Find your nearest Salvation Army centre to find out more.