The smile on the face of four-year-old Frankie Rice proves that all your Christmas fundraising efforts were worthwhile.
Good causes across Hounslow, Richmond and Kingston received visits from Santa and his helpers, as we set out to spread a bit of festive fun on behalf of you, our caring readers.
The big man's first stop was the Starlight Ward of the West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth, where he and helper Jessica Thomas handed out presents to Frankie and other poorly children.
Next we headed to the children's ward at Kingston Hospital where reporter Helen Clarke, laden down with sackfuls of toys, met youngsters like four-year-old Edward Scott. Edward, who is scared of needles, was not looking forward to having a blood test taken, but cheered up when he ripped open a toy doctor's kit.
Meanwhile Gillian Thomas, whose 16-year-old daughter Ellie expects to be in and out of hospital for the next 10 months, thanked readers for thinking of older teenagers and donating gifts suitable for them.
Over at the Royal Star & Garter Home in Richmond, Patsy Duffy lifted the spirits of ex-servicemen and women with festive treats including whisky, sherry,chocolates and toiletries.
And our last port of call was the Shooting Star Children's Hospice in Hampton, where Richard Mayhew-Smith brought a smile to the faces of children with life-limiting illnesses with your gifts.
The Chronicle and our sister papers the Informers would like to say a big thank-you to all those readers who gave so generously to make it a fantastic yuletide for people less fortunate than themselves this Christmas.
