As we look forward to tucking into some good food, many of us will enjoy the spirit of goodwill and kindness which envelopes so many at this time of year.

We trudge round to deliver cards and exchange good wishes with neighbors who perhaps we haven't spoken to all year, and the arrival of unexpected cards on the doormat from friends from the past, temporarily forgotten, encourages us to review those treasured memories.

Our paper this week contains several good examples of man's goodwill.

Two involve people generously giving her time to help others over the festive break. The street pastors will be in the town center until late at night to offer assistance to those who do a little too much revelling, while the volunteers from Kent Search and Rescue have decided to be proactive by patrolling the riverbank and helping people before they fall in.

They have already given first-aid to one reveler who inadvertently took a dive in the Medway.

Meanwhile, one lucky couple who received a great Christmas present themselves by winning £1m on the lottery has shared their good fortune with the staff and patients of the neo-natal unit at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

But surely the parents of five-year-old Lily-Mae have received the best present of all. They can now look forward to the day their daughter can run, skip and jump with the other children, after life-changing surgery to relieve her cerebral palsy- paid for by the kindness of friends and strangers.

We wish each and every one of you a joyous Christmas.