AS Christmas approaches and the cold weather sets in, my thoughts often turn to older people who are alone. Now, perhaps more than any other time of the year, I feel incredibly furtunate that I can surround myself with a marvellous support network of family and friends.

But a recent survey commissioned by the British Gas-Help the Aged partnership revealed more than a million older people across the country are acutely isolated.

With whom do these older people share memories, laugh and plan for the future? This year, I have turned my concerns into something practical by supporting the British Gas-Help the Aged partnership's Alone at Christmas appeal. Funds raised from it will be used to support day centres, minibuses and other community projects, giving older people the opportunity to socialise with others, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.

I encourage your readers to support this appeal. Even the smallest contribution will make an enormous difference to the everyday lives of older people and give many something more than memories of being alone at Christmas to look forward to in the future.

To make a contribution please contact 020 7239 1983 or write to: Sian Moody, Help the Aged, FREEPOST LON 130412, PO Box 203, London N1 9BR. Cheques can be made out to Help the Aged.

HONOR BLACKMAN, for Help the Aged, Pentonville Road, London N1 and British Gas Public Affairs.