EVEN in these days of apparent abundance for all there are families facing the prospect of a bleak Christmas.

But dedicated volunteers are already working to ensure children who would otherwise face a Christmas Day without presents, or struggling parents with no food to celebrate the festive season, have something to bring a smile to their face.

Since the 1930s the Rotary Club of Poole has been involved in seeking out those at need and providing gifts and support.

Together with Poole's Salvation Army it will once again this year make house calls with Christmas food parcels for those who would otherwise miss out.

A long-time supporter, Phil Carey, said: "I remember we went to see one family a few days before Christmas and they had no decorations and there was no food in the cupboards.

"We made sure the mother had food for Christmas and some toys for the children arrived a little late."

He added: "If we had not been notified of that family's plight it would have been a very bleak Christmas for them."

Captain Philip Mountain, of the Salvation Army in Poole, said: "We hand out around 500 parcels to the lonely, depressed and needy. It is amazing how many people slip through the net."

To provide the money for the food parcels and assistance, the Salvation Army and the Rotary Club of Poole are staging a Wonder of Christmas carol concert at Lighthouse, Poole's centre for the arts, on December 17.

All proceeds will go to the parcel fund and to Winchelsea schoo.

Tickets are now available for the concert from the Lighthouse box office at £6 or £5 for senior citizens and £4 for the under-18s.

First published: November 19