Christmas

The RSPCA is mailing 500,000 supporters with a special Christmas appeal through which it hopes to raise over £1 million.

Capitalising on the growing interest in the giving of 'virtual gifts' from charities as alternative Christmas presents, the RSPB has recently launched its own virtual gift catalogue aimed at wildlife and nature lovers.

For the second year running, the Greater London Authority will host a programme of festive carol singing running every evening, 5-9pm, from 3 December to Christmas Eve in Trafalgar Square in London.

A number of carol singing groups have already booked to sing, but more slots are available and those hoping to get involved should contact the Greater London Authority on 020 7983 6586.

Homelessness charity Crisis is joining the ranks of charities which sell 'alternative' gifts by selling a luxury Harrods Christmas pudding for £30. Each pud sold will pay for a homeless person to be given a Christmas dinner 'with all the trimmings' at this year's Crisis Open Christmas.

Childline have launched a campaign - supported by Hotpoint - where children can receive a letter from Father Christmas.

Charity Christmas cards, where does your money really go? At this time of goodwill, many of us buy charity Christmas cards. However, the amount going to help the charitable causes varies enormously depending on the card you buy.

BibleLands' Christmas appeal focuses on disabled children in the Middle East, and was mailed to 34,500 existing contacts. It aims to raise £150,000.

Heart 106.2 FM, the London music radio station, and CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) are jointly promoting charitable giving in London with the Light Up London campaign, which will run from this week's National Giving Week until the week before Christmas. The campaign kicks off by offering 50 prizes of £100 to donate to a charity of the listener's choice.

This month, the RSPCA is launching an alternative Christmas gift service for animal lovers - the 'RSPCA Christmas Gift Box' - through an integrated campaign including inserts, press advertising, and online activity.

Croydon based Kids Cards© at DPIdigital has launched for the academic year 2005 in an attempt to raise at least £20,000 for schools and charities this Christmas.