This year it is going to be a credit crunch Christmas, and your gift shopping could well be pared down a bit.

But as you do go from store to store, we are asking you to spare a thought for children whose Christmas is pretty sparse every year.

Or for those youngsters for whom Christmas Day 2008 will mean just another day on hospital.

Today we are again joining with The Chimes shopping centre in Uxbridge High Street and Hillingdon Hospital in Pield Heath Road, Hillingdon, to launch the annual Gazette Christmas Toy Appeal.

Our festive campaign is designed to bring a little fun into the lives of youngsters for whom Christmas might otherwise be a bit bleak.

We are hoping to build on the enormous generosity shown by our readers last year by asking them to buy an extra gift this Christmas and donate it to the appeal.

Shortly after the closing date of December 14, all the presents which have been collected will be taken to the hospital and handed over to Pat McGee, play specialist at the Peter Pan and Wendy children's wards.

And gifts will also be passed on to Hillingdon Council, who will give them to families in the borough.

To start the appeal, Gazette news editor Chris Longhurst paid a visit to the hospital last week in the company of The Chimes general manager Tony Dunn.

Mr Dunn said: "The Chimes is the heart of Uxbridge, and helping the local community is important to us.

"We hope that the generosity of our customers and Gazette readers makes this year's Toy Appeal provide a brighter Christmas for those less fortunate in the borough."

Mrs McGee added: "We were very grateful for the donations we received last year and it would be wonderful to get a similar response this time.

"It can be upsetting for a child to be in hospital at Christmas; this appeal makes it a little easier for them."

Gifts can be large or small, for young children or old, and for boys or for girls.

Gazette editor in chief Adrian Seal said: "We hope our readers will again give generously to the appeal and in doing so help make it a special Christmas for the less fortunate in Hillingdon."

How You Can Deliver

* You can take your gift to the information desk on the second floor of The Chimes shopping centre in Uxbridge, or bring it into the Gazette offices at 28 Bakers Road, Uxbridge, between now and December 14.

* We want gifts for babies to 16-year-olds.

* It is important your toys are new and not gift wrapped.

* Good ideas include electronic games, board games, teddy bears, paint sets, crayons, DVDs and CDs.

* Sorry, we cannot accept any second hand toys.