Christmas is the season for giving.

And Huddersfield’s Volunteering Kirklees service has urged people to spread festive joy by giving up some time to help those in need.

Helpers at a Christmas Day lunch, drivers, bag packers and animal lovers are all needed by several charities signed up to the service during December and on Christmas and New Year.

Talking about why the benefits of volunteering at Christmas, Sharron Wilkinson, the service’s volunteer manager, said: “For people who already volunteer with us, helping is about giving back to their communities.

“There’s a lot of materialism at this time of year and volunteering is a good alternative that helps make people feel like they’re making a difference.

“The good thing is that with a lot of opportunities you can just sign up then go along on the day, it’s easy to do.”

Christmas Day lunch at The Jubilee Centre, Paddock, Huddersfield.

These are the charities looking for volunteers:

Cancer Research is searching for Christmas-dressed helpers to collect donations from one hour to all day at Aldi on Scar Lane in Milnsbridge on December 12.

Call 07496 725207 or email laura.robinson@cancer.org.uk.

Kirkwood Hospice needs Santa’s helpers for its Pennine and Birchencliffe grottos on various dates until Christmas Eve.

Call01484 557911 for more information.

West Yorkshire Dog Rescue is looking for people to run a stand and talk to people about the charity at Pets at Home in the Great Northern Retail Park each weekend until December 20.

Call 07707 980245 or email danteharker@gmail.com

Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice needs bag packers at Marks and Spencer Huddersfield on December 17, 18, 21, 22 and 23 and at Birstall Marks and Spencer and Morrisons in Heckmondwike on December 20.

Call 01484 411040 or email lynsey.marshall@forgetmenotchild.co.uk.

Two Christmas Day dinners for people in need would like volunteers to help out.

The Jubilee Centre on Market Street in Paddock needs drivers to transport people to and from the event from late morning and musicians to perform. Call 01484 551551.

Members of Milnsbridge Community Trust in front of Milnsbridge Village Hall in April 2014: pictured with local ward councillor Christine Iredale, l to r, Deb Wright (sec), Karen Yarker (hall manager), Robert Iredale (chmn), Charley Naven (committee member), Clr Christine Iredale and Robin Beaumont (pres).

Milnsbridge Village Hall is also looking for drivers around its meal serving time of noon to 3pm.

Call Robert Irdale - 07527 419434

Another community meal will take place at the Salvation Army on Boxing Day for the lonely and disadvantaged and volunteers are needed to help out.

Call 01484 654484 or email adechrislee@aol.com

And Destitute Asylum Seekers Huddersfield (DASH) is looking for people to support its New Year’s Eve party at Ark Church on Hanson Lane from 10am to 4pm.

Email elaine@vkirklees.org.uk or call 01484 519053.

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