Food helping.

This time of year can be so hectic, particularly when you're busy making plans for a special family Christmas, but the holiday season is especially difficult for those facing the festivities without a home to call their own.

Shelter estimates there are around 40,000 children in the North-east who are living in housing that is either temporary, unfit or overcrowded.

Living in bad housing ruins children's health, education and future chances.

The good news is you can help give badly housed and homeless children and their families the chance of a brighter future simply by popping into your local Marks & Spencer.

For the second year running, M&S will make a donation to Shelter from the sale of a range of specially-labelled Food to Go products and Christmas cards.

The Christmas Food to Go range includes a number of items perfect for a festive lunch, such as the Turkey and Trimmings Christmas Cracker Wrap or Santa's Steak and Stilton Roll and White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies.

AMANDA HOLDEN, Actress and Shelter supporter