AN ABERGELE initiative is giving people the opportunity to share a little kindness with people living with dementia this Christmas.

Home Instead Care Conwy and Denbighshire are asking the public to spare a thought for the elderly this Christmas in their fourth annual Be a Santa to a Senior project.

The Abergele based organisation is spearheading the project with assistance from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the British Red Cross, the Disability Resource Center at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Contact the Elderly UK and Age Connects North Wales Central.

Lucie Williams, Home Instead community relations and recruitment manager, said: "Following the brilliant success of last year's initiative, we are very excited about running the initiative again this year.

"This is the fourth year I’ve headed this initiative and have seen it grow year upon year.

"I enjoy every part of it. Last year whilst out delivering presents, we ended up changing fuses, popping out to the shops to buy lightbulbs and fitting them, making meals and cups of tea, giving hugs and often leaving wishing we could spend more time with each person.

"North Wales Fire Service carried out fire safety checks and fitted several smoke detectors, they too put the kettle on and enjoyed chats with those they visited. It's a heart-warming worthwhile initiative."

Last year, more than 1,100 gifts were donated, allowing caregivers to visit and deliver gifts to people living alone across both counties as well as patients in Glan Clwyd Hospital, Abergele Hospital, Colwyn Bay Hospital, Bryn Hesketh and Llandudno hospital.

Donations can be made in Abergele at the Home Instead office on Market Street, Tesco and at Catrefi Conwy on Morfa Gele North Wales Business Park. Donations are also being accepted at Russel House Council Offices on Churton Road Rhyl and the Prestatyn Nova Centre as well as locations in Colwyn Bay, llandudno, Ruthin and Denbigh.

Gift suggestions include blankets, winter clothes, food hampers, calendars, books, puzzles, tinned biscuits and jigsaws as well as tape, wrapping paper, bows and tags also welcome.

Ms Williams added: "Any gifts however big or small, will be greatly appreciated. The giving of the gift will mean an older person will also get a visit from someone, this will be as greatly received as any gift.

"If you know someone who is going to be alone for Christmas, let us know and we will ensure they get a visit and a gift. Contact me directly. Any information passed to us will be kept with the strictest of confidence and use solely for the purposes of the initiative."

The initiative will accept donations until Friday, December 7. For more information, or to contact Home Instead Senior Care, call 01745 772150.