A LIONS Club is hoping a campaign that benefited more than 400 people last Christmas will be a roaring success again.

Derby Lions Club's Christmas appeal invites schoolchildren from across the county to donate food and drink to people in need.

Each primary and junior school that chooses to take part in the campaign will receive a collection box.

These will be filled with tins and packets of food and drink throughout November and collected by Derby Lions in the first week of December.

All the items will then be sorted into food parcels and distributed to charities, other organisations and individuals over the next few weeks.

The campaign, which is being supported by the Evening Telegraph, will benefit several good causes.

These include the Guinness Trust housing association, Rebecca Court Women's Refuge and Jericho House, a project that helps people suffering from drug addiction.

Brian Stevens, the manager of Jericho House, in London Road, Derby, said: "Derby Lions has contributed to our work a lot over the last few years and the Christmas appeal is amazing.

"This time of year is incredibly difficult for addicts but collections, even small ones, can make it special."

Derby Lions has been running Christmas collections for more than 20 years and, nine years ago, the group first decided to invite schools to join the appeal.

Club member Brian Burke, who co-ordinates the project each year, said: "This is a great opportunity to put something back into the community at a time when it is most beneficial.

"Not only does the campaign help those in need, but it also allows schoolchildren to look at Christmas in a different way.

"The charities are very happy to receive our help and I urge as many people as possible to get involved."

The appeal was officially launched at a ceremony in the Evening Telegraph's offices in Meadow Road, Derby, yesterday. Derby Mayor Barbara Jackson, who attended the ceremony, said: "It's very nice that every year the Mayor supports this appeal because it is such a worthwhile cause.

"It's also good that schoolchildren recognise early that not everyone has the same sort of Christmas that they do.

"Launching the appeal now also seems appropriate during a time when people need to tighten their belts and they do need support.

"And as Christmas is the time for giving and receiving, it seems the perfect time to have a collection."

Neil White, deputy editor of the Evening Telegraph, also attended the launch event.

He said: "We are delighted to be supporting the Derby Lions appeal.

"It is an excellent cause and we hope to help the club benefit as many, if not more, people as it has done in the past."

Derby Lions will begin contacting schools from next week to invite them to get involved with the appeal.

For more information about the collection, or to get involved, call Mr Burke on Derby 573334 or e-mail bribal@tiscali. co.uk.