Next Wednesday, the 13th of December is the final day to deliver your gift.

With just a week left before the closing date for receipt of gifts for the Family Appeal, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul are urging readers to buy an extra gift for an unknown child this Christmas and help make thousands of children's Christmas extra special.

"Christmas can be a very difficult time for many local families who struggle to make ends meet throughout the year often doing without food, heat and other basic requirements," explains Major David Jackson, leader of the Salvation Army in Ireland.

"Sadly, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul see this hardship first hand through personal contact with many families and individuals, and we can assure the public that gifts received from The Family Appeal make a tremendous difference and are genuinely appreciated by those who find themselves in need."

One such family who will return to The Family Appeal this year for help is Niki who has three children and will spend Christmas in The Salvation Army Glen Alva Family Centre as a result of becoming homeless last year.

"I had everything," she explains, "a nice house, two cars, I went out and bought what I wanted, the kids got what they wanted and more."

Circumstances changed however, when Niki's husband left her. Along with her three children, she moved in with her parents, but in a two bedroomed house it was far from ideal. She got a further shock when she found out there would be no income from the sale of her home due to several secured loans.

"The Salvation Army has really helped me. When I came here with the kids I felt so low. I had lost everything and I couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. The kids would see me cry, I wouldn't get out of bed in the morning," she recalls.

However, thanks to the support, encouragement and practical help from the staff. I'm looking forward to the future. "I'm so grateful that this year The Family Appeal will help make Christmas special for kids, without this help they would wake up on Christmas morning with next to nothing."

Gifts can be left before Wednesday, the 13th December at the Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul, at all branches of Alliance and Leicester, Asda, Curves, Co-op Stores, First Trust Bank, Travelcare, Ulster Property Sales or wherever you see the yellow Family Appeal posters.