AN appeal has been launched to help Johnstone families in crisis enjoy a Christmas dinner this year.

Johnstone Business Consortium (JBC) is fundraising so each disadvantaged family in the area will be given fresh ingredients to cook their own traditional dinner.

JBC is working with a local agency which will distribute food hampers to the families who are in need.

Allan Henderson, chairman of the JBC, said: “This time of year we are constantly being bombarded on TV and newspapers with images of lavish Christmas dinners when some people struggle to feed their families.

“We are aiming to raise money to provide these families with a food hamper for Christmas meal.

“This is an appeal to the whole of Johnstone and all help would be greatly received.”

The group will also be running its Every Child deserves a gift this Christmas campaign for the second year.

This year there are 95 families in Johnstone in crisis and who will struggle to give their children a Christmas without help.

Last year, the Johnstone public was generous and made a huge difference to families in difficulty in the town at Christmas.

Mr Henderson said: “Once again we need your help. There are families in Johnstone who will struggle to give their child a Christmas present.

“We had a lot of fantastic support last year to ensure that no child in Johnstone went without a Christmas.

“Many of them had told their children that there would be no gifts, so thanks to everyone who donated gifts, Santa came after all.”

Donations for each of these causes can be handed in at the band stand on Saturday, December 9, from 11am to 1pm.

Those who are unable to hand in gifts on Saturday can also send in donations into R Brown shoe repairs in Houstoun Square.

Presents for the gift appeal should be new and unwrapped.

Those who wish to donate to the Every Family Deserves a Christmas Dinner Appeal should visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/carole-mclellan