Christmas may be a time to celebrate with family and friends, but for many across Kingston it is one of the most isolating and lonely times of the year.

Many people have no-one to exchange a gift with and no time to spare in which to cook a Christmas meal - the devastating reality for many carers, aged 65 years and over, who are caring for people with debilitating conditions such as dementia.

Carers were already under pressure before COVID-19, but now over 55% are worried they are going to burn out, 37% struggle to make ends meet, and 47% are cutting back on food and heating to cope.

Caring takes a huge toll on mental and physical health and over 70% of older carers report an extreme lack of social contact and having at least one long-term health problem themselves.

No older carer should have to feel the pain of loneliness, especially during the festive season.

That's why Kingston care respite charity Crossroads Care are organising Christmas hampers filled with delicious goodies for borough's most isolated, vulnerable and hardworking unpaid carers.

It costs just £25 per hamper and staff and volunteers will be delivering them over the festive season.

The charity have opened a justgiving page and more than £1,000 has already been raised - 91% of their goal.

Any amount no matter how small is appreciated - so why not perform an act of kindness this Christmas and help lift an older carer's spirits.

You can find and donate to the Christmas hamper appeal HERE.

Do you have a Kingston Christmas charity appeal you think we should cover? Get in touch: [email protected]