KIND-HEARTED residents and businesses in the Faithful City are being asked to help make Christmas a special time for the disadvantaged.

For the past three years Christmas boxes have been made and donated to Worcester's homeless people and the isolated elderly.

This year, Jean Kennedy, who is organising the scheme, hopes to provide every homeless person at Maggs Day Centre and St Paul's Hostel with a box.

She said there is also a need to help isolated elderly people through meals-on-wheels and women and children through the Asha Women's Centre, in London Road, and The Women's Refuge.

The idea is to decorate an empty shoe box with Christmas paper and fill it with items such as deodorant, soap, hat, gloves, scarf, socks, mirrors, torches with batteries or even sweets.

"I started this three years ago," said Mrs Kennedy, of Kirkstone Drive, Warndon. "It was just for Maggs and St Paul's.

"But the following year we got so many boxes that we extended it to the isolated elderly and then someone said what about the women's refuge, so some people did it for them.

"But we need lots and lots of boxes. Last year, we had 180, but this year we need more.

She added that at this time of year, we should also think of the unfortunate at home.

"So often people are asked for donations for overseas charities but there aren't many projects for local people and there are so many homeless people in Worcester.

Presently, the churches of St Joseph's and St Wulstan's, in Warndon, Christchurch in Tolladine and St Barnabas's, in Rainbow Hill, as well as pupils at Gorse Hill Primary School, Holly Mount Road, Tolladine, are preparing their boxes.

"We are quite keen to help out in the community," said Bob Flynn, headteacher of Gorse Hill Primary School.

"It is a good thing for the children because you get to talk to them about homelessness and isolated elderly people."

Local businesses and members of the public who are able to make donations and help fill a box should contact Mrs Kennedy on 01905 22415.