I work for a local charity and see at first hand how painful times can be for elderly people who are alone - and lonely - all year, never mind at Christmas.

If you have such a neighbour, make contact - just a "Hello, how are you?" or, perhaps, an offer to do some shopping, post a letter, help fill in a form, sweep the leaves, take the cat to the vet, change a light bulb - I could go on and on.

If you would like to make a difference to someone's life, help just a little bit.

Just think, she could be your mother, grandmother or even you, one day.

It costs nothing - just a little of your time - to make such a difference to theirs. Merry Christmas.

-Debbie, Brighton