Christmas could be an altogether more restrained affair for many of us this year.

With the credit crunch still to loosen its grip, a heftier price may be put on the usual festive trimmings, forcing us to make savings, cut corners and make do.

But at the heart of it, come Christmas Day all that should really matter is family, friendship and kindness.

And this year we are asking our readers to help those for whom even these Christmas essentials are a luxury.

Our Christmas Show You Care campaign is set to make a difference to the lives of those elderly people in north Kent who may have no family or few friends and relatives nearby and are facing the prospect of spending Christmas alone.

We have teamed up with Age Concern to ask our readers to go that extra mile in these tough economic times and buy an extra Christmas gift this year for someone deserving that they have never met.

As in previous years, we are looking for non-perishable foods such as biscuits, tinned meat and fruit or donations of new warm clothing such as blankets, jumpers and scarves. Or why not try to be a bit different and donate craft items for an elderly person to enjoy, such as wool, knitting needles or jigsaws?

The gifts, which are now being collected by the Messenger, will be distributed via Age Concern's community services to elderly people in Gravesend and Dartford.

Gifts can be dropped off to our office at 7 High Street, Gravesend, as single items, a carrier bag full of treats or in decorated shoe boxes.