RESIDENTS are being asked to help bring some 'sparkle' to the lives of homeless people in Wrexham this Christmas.

The community group Wrexham Homeless runs activities to help homeless people in the town each festive season - including a shoebox appeal.

Last year the group managed to make up 300 boxes containing all kinds of essentials, toiletries and food thanks to the generosity of the public.

Founder Dee Davis is once again calling on the public to do what they can to bring a smile to those less fortunate than themselves this Christmas.

She said: "We really want to get these shoeboxes out to anyone who is homeless and bring a bit of sparkle to their life.

"At the moment we're calling on the public to help by donating things we can fit in shoeboxes; toiletries, gloves, hand sanitiser, men's and women's underwear in small and medium, hats, biscuits, sweets, packaged foods which are ready to eat and don't need to be refrigerated or cooked. "We're also asking people to include a Christmas card with a nice positive message in and, really, to think about what they might give a loved one.

"Before Wrexham Homeless started, some of the people we give to hadn't had a present for years, or a birthday or Christmas Card.

"It means the world to them to receive something because it's the fact that a complete stranger has taken the time and given them a gift. They really appreciate it.

"Some have said to me that before that they forgot what Christmas was like; it was just another day.

"At the end of they day we're all human beings and nobody should wake up on Christmas morning without a gift.

"It might just be a shoebox to one person, but to another it's like the crown jewels."

Dee said the shoeboxes cannot contain any sharp items, medications or alcohol.

She added at the moment the group is unable to take donations of larger items or quantities of clothing, but reiterated that items which can fit in a shoebox are welcomed.

"Even if you don't have a shoebox," she said, "it could be gift bag with some things in it.

"If we have bags or boxes left over, we will be extending the circle we normally give to including families which are struggling.

"We'll also be splitting them up and giving them as birthday gifts to the homeless community through the year.

"It's a little something to let them know people care for them."

Dee said the drop off points this year include Wrexham Co-op stores, Apollo Taxis in Charles Street, Cais in King Street and Gwersyllt Barbers.

Donations at the drop offs can be made until December 23.

To find out more, visit or message the Facebook page "Wrexham homeless, People Helping People."