Christmas shoeboxes full of presents have been handed in by members of the public, schools, companies, churches and organisations from communities across the region – including Selkirk, Peebles, Melrose, Lauder, Kelso, Jedburgh, Hawick, Galashiels, Eyemouth, Duns and Coldstream.
It has been a great response, particularly at a time when people are finding resources stretched due to the credit crunch. Our volunteers collected the shoeboxes from throughout the Borders and took them to the warehouse in Kirkintilloch where we checked, packed and loaded them on to lorries for transportation to their destinations in Crimea and Kyrgyzstan.
Chris Thomson
(regional manager, Operation Christmas Child)

Nine individuals, working under the banner of the Lauderdale Development Forum, took a risk in preparing for the annual Christmas lights ceremony.
They cajoled and co-ordinated collaboration between seven community groups to extend the already successful, but short, ceremony.
May I congratulate those local community groups and thank the individuals who ensured collectively the success of the new Lauder Lights Up three-hour ceremony.
The craft fair was set up by Lauderdale Development Trust; Lauder Parish Church was turned into a festival of Christmas trees, each individually decorated by 24 local organisations, by members of the Rural; live music by the Lauder Piping Project; provision of the Royal Burgh Christmas tree, extended street lights, mulled wine and the Christmas choirs by the Lauderdale Initiative Group and friends; members of the Lauder Amateur Dramatic Society became street entertainers for the afternoon; members of the church provided entertainment and refreshments for more than 100 children at the Parish Treat; Lauderdale Rotary Club ensured that Santa Claus arrived at all the right places at the right time, including selection of the best-dressed Christmas window and others who donated to the raffle.
Those who took the risk were Ian Scott, Shona Jardine, Kate Hankey, Gail Millar, Jennie Smith, Michael Heath, Colin Stirling, Gordon Smith and Alistair Smith. Key participants included Anne Lillico, Jeanette Waldie, Fiona Mackenzie, Carol Batchelor, Carol Jeffrey, Peter Robertson and Phil Waters.
On behalf of the residents of Lauder, in particular the 300 who attended the events, my sincere thanks to you all.
Graeme Donald
Upper Loan Park
Lauder

I would like to thank all your readers who have so generously supported Breast Cancer Care throughout 2008.
Breast Cancer Care is here for anyone affected by breast cancer. Not only the individual dealing with a diagnosis, but their partners, friends, families and children too. We bring people together, provide information and support, and campaign for improved standards of care. We use our understanding of peoples' experience of breast cancer and our clinical expertise in everything we do.
All of our services are free and this is only possible thanks to the fabulous support we receive from the countless individuals who raise funds for us.

Samia al Quadhi
(chief executive, Breast Cancer Care)

I would like to thank everyone who supported our collections at Mayfield Garden Centre, Kelso (December 13); Asda, Galashiels (14) and Tesco, Galashiels (20).
These collections raised more than £1,000 for the charity which, at a time of such economic gloom, is a wonderful result and shows just how kind, generous and caring the people of the Borders are. Without this kind of support our charity would not be able to continue its work.
I would also like to thank those who have helped me at the various fundraising events throughout 2008 – without them I could not have done the job so well.
SHEENA CHAPPELL
(volunteer fundraiser)
Arthurshiel Rescue Centre

On behalf of the Borders link of Chernobyl Children's Lifeline, I should like to thank everyone who contributed to the recent bag packing at Tesco in Galashiels, from which we raised £1,152.
This sum will provide for air passages for three children to come on the next visit to the Borders.
Thanks are also extended to Tesco and to our team of adult and younger helpers.
Fraser Simm
(treasurer, Chernobyl Children's Lifeline)

Friends of Central Borders Citizens' Advice Bureau would like to thank all those who supported their fundraising on the stall at the charities bazaar and by buying quiz sheets.
Winner of the Adopt A Jelly Baby was Barbara Handyside and the Nobody Likes A Bill quiz winner was Douglas Methven.
The total raised was approximately £200.
Linda Farrell
The Glebe
Selkirk

On behalf of the Scott's Selkirk committee, I would like to thank everyone who helped in any way towards the success of the event held last month.
It is a massive event to organise and would not be possible without the support of all the volunteers – ladies who man the shop, mend costumes and make mountains of sandwiches; Hammermen who erect and dismantle most of the equipment; the performers; entertainments committee; bus drivers; Keith, who emptied the bins; business sponsors; helpers at Meg Dods; the community service team – the list is endless.
My personal thanks go to all the incredibly hard-working committee members, Caroline Adam who almost single-handedly organised the entertainment programme, The County Hotel, Big Sky Studios, Gordon Webster, Dougie Squance, Rob Gray, Bordersprint, Morris Manson, Provost Jim Henderson and, of course, John Nichol.
Viv Ross

I am writing to thank everyone the Borders who supported The Meningitis Trust during 2008 – it's only with the help of local communities that we are able to continue our vital work helping to rebuild lives shattered by meningitis.
The trust relies entirely on voluntary donations, which means support from individuals, families, schools, nurseries and businesses is fundamental to its survival.
Meningitis can strike anyone, of any age, at any time. Those who survive can be left with devastating after-effects, including loss of hearing, sight, brain damage and, where septicaemia (blood poisoning) has occurred, loss of limbs.
This time of the year is particularly relevant for talking about meningitis as cases of the disease rise in winter. The trust urges people to be vigilant of the signs and symptoms, and trust their instincts. Symptoms can include fever, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, drowsiness, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, but not all, a rash that doesn't fade under pressure.
For more information, readers can call the trust's freephone 24-hour nurse-led helpline on 0800 028 1828, or log on to www.meningitis-trust.org. Alternatively, I can be contacted directly on 0845 120 2123 or annec@meningitis-trust.org
Anne Currie
(fundraising manager, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
The Meningitis Trust
Stroud
Gloucestershire