COMFORT AND JOY: Roberts Centre boss says donations make a '˜world of difference' to struggling families

That is how Chief Executive of The Roberts Centre, Carole Damper feels this Christmas.

The charity is one of 11 that will benefit from gift cards collected as part of The News' Comfort and Joy campaign.

Carole said: '˜All throughout the year there are terrible things happening all over the world and apart from sending money there is little local people can do about it so at Christmas time it is nice for us to focus on the people who are very close to us and help them.

'˜Despite it being a grim time for everyone, people who are struggling in Portsmouth always help out people who are struggling more than they are which makes this campaign a really inspiring thing to be a part of again.'

The Roberts Centre helps families across Portsmouth, Havant and Gosport who have become homeless and/or struggling to improve their family's circumstances.

The team tackles issues including debt, parenting difficulties, co-parenting, managing money, lifestyle changes, mental health and learning difficulties, low educational attainment and aspiration.

Carole said: '˜This campaign truly makes a world of difference and the vouchers mean people can choose what they want to buy instead of being given something that someone else has decided they might want.

'˜It gives them some self esteem to be able to choose and the opportunity to get a special gift for a loved one.'

She added: '˜Importantly it also shows them that someone they have never met and will probably never meet cares and wants to help them.'