Susanna Wilkey LAST week the Ham&High revealed how charities are struggling in the face of the ongoing postal strikes and how many are worried about their upcoming Christmas appeals. This week we are giving you information on how you can assist these ch

Susanna Wilkey

LAST week the Ham&High revealed how charities are struggling in the face of the ongoing postal strikes and how many are worried about their upcoming Christmas appeals.

This week we are giving you information on how you can assist these charities at such an important time of year.

MARIE CURIE - The charity's hospice in Hampstead is one of nine across the country which provides specialist care for people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Each festive season it holds Lights to Remember where supporters gather to sponsor and light a candle to remember a loved one. There is also the chance to light a virtual candle online and leave a dedication. The money raised helps support the work of Marie Curie nurses throughout the year. The event at Hampstead will be held on Saturday December 5 at St Stephen's Church or to donate online visit http://hospicenorthlondon.mariecurie.org.uk.

NORTH LONDON HOSPICE - The Finchley-based hospice runs a Light up a Life campaign by erecting a tree outside the hospice, decorating it with lights and asking people to sponsor a light in memory or honour of someone. It is their major festive fundraising appeal and the money raised enables the hospice to keep going throughout the year. A special event to light the tree will be held on November 29. To sponsor a light please call the fundraising office on 020-8446 2288.

MAYHEW ANIMAL HOME - To help the animals stuck in the home over Christmas you can sponsor some festive presents for our furry friends. The home also has a catalogue full of festive creature-comfort gift ideas for your friends and family. By buying from the catalogue you will be supporting the animals in the home. For more information and to request a catalogue visit www.mayhewanimalhome.org.

AGE CONCERN CAMDEN - John Winning is the chair of the members committee at Henderson Court. He said: "I'm 85 and I attend Age Concern Camden's Henderson Court Resource Centre in Hampstead. The centre provides events and activities for us, the staff are kind and I feel part of something, part of a community. It's a fun place to be, always a laugh. A god-send for those of us who don't have much family around. We also get a hot lunch every day. But we don't have enough money to cover all of the outings and events; every Christmas we send out an appeal to local people asking for help. Please give what you can; this centre is so important, for some of us it's our life."

You can donate online by visiting www.cafonline.org and typing in Age Concern Camden, or by sending a cheque payable to Age Concern Camden to: 11 St Chad's Street, London WC1H 8BG.

ANTHONY NOLAN TRUST - The Hampstead-based charity matches patients with bone marrow donors to help children and adults with fatal bone marrow diseases like leukaemia. Around 70 per cent of patients do not have a suitable family match and are reliant on an unrelated donor to offer them the chance of life. The trust is always looking for donations and people to join the bone marrow register. For more information visit www.anthonynolan.org.uk.

CANCERKIN - The breast cancer charity based at the Royal Free hospital is holding a festive day in the foyer of the hospital to raise money for its ongoing work providing support to women suffering from cancer. There will be a huge raffle with lots of prizes as well as mince pies and the launch of the charity's new dedicated children's corner. For more information or to donate visit www.cancerkin.org.uk.

TREEHOUSE - The Muswell Hill-based charity is always looking for your support to run a school for children and young people with autism. It was founded in 1997 by parents of children with autism and campaigns for a better autism education nationally. To support the charity visit www.treehouse.org.uk.

JACKSONS LANE - The charity and theatre in Highgate is working towards getting the local community involved in supporting the productions. It has launched a Cinders Circle for its upcoming Christmas production of Cinderella and is inviting local businesses to support the show. For more information visit www.jacksonslane.org.uk or contact 020-8347 2418.