AS WE GATHER with our friends and family this Christmas, our thoughts must focus on those for whom Christmas will just be another ordinary day.

Many of those will be homeless and have no services, scant as they are, to use over the period and many will be lonely, feel isolated and despondent as those of us who are lucky enough to have family around us will celebrate Christmas.

As ever, and as a former emergency services worker, I want to say thank you to all those whose service to others means they will be spending time away from their loved ones this Christmas. It is time to give thanks to the staff and volunteers in our emergency services who save lives every day, including Christmas day. Their dedication is selfless.

We mustn’t forget the hundreds of volunteers who have and will give up their time to make someone else’s Christmas special. These are the unsung heroes within our community who staff foodbanks, provide additional support to those in need and to those for whom this Christmas will be difficult in more ways than one.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us celebrate all those selfless acts - and countless others.

I hope that my constituents within the Vale of Clwyd have a safe, secure and happy time with a chance to reflect on the good gifts we need to be thankful for. Let me wish you all a Merry Christmas.