FORGET the ridiculously early festive look to the shops, the over-emphasis on gift-buying and the stretching out of this annual milestone.

The caring side of Christmas just can’t help surfacing – and thank goodness it does.

During the last week, there were several local stories that warmed the heart. Two of them were upsetting. Vandals set fire to and destroyed a caravan in Astley Bridge set to take disadvantaged children on holiday. And a Blood Biker – those excellent individuals who volunteer to deliver urgently-needed blood supplies and transplant organs – was attacked in Halliwell and his motorbike damaged. The others were a focus in the Bolton News on the work of those committed individuals providing food for people without the cash to eat properly. It included The Hope Centre in Johnson Fold run by a partnership of St Peter’s Church, Halliwell, Bolton at Home and the Christian charity Urban Outreach.

Café owner Rachel Jubb will be offering festive meals with all the trimmings at The Coffee Shop at Bolton Market after being inspired by a local rough sleeper. And Bolton’s Salvation Army – always helping throughout the year – is celebrating its first anniversary of providing meals for those desperately in need through its Bolton Community Kitchen.

Apologies for missing out others who also help in this practical way because, behind those names and my ordinary words, lie a whole army of individuals for whom caring is as natural as breathing.

They are so far away from the vandals setting fires and the scavengers trying to steal motorbikes or absolutely anything else they can lay their hands on as to be from another planet. Fortunately, the genuine outnumber the uncaring, thoughtless types in this town and are with us 365 days of the year. I know that not everyone can provide practical help as they do because of physical or other limitations. Many may not even be able to spare a few quid to support their work.

But thousands of us can help in some way, offering the odd hour or two if we’re physically able, or we can spare a small donation – or a large one – to help ensure their work continues. It’s worth a thought when we’re out Christmas shopping that sharing the true spirit of this time of the year really doesn’t cost much.