PEOPLE shouldn’t suffer at Christmas time – this is the simple mantra of one Dunbar resident who has organised several events to help those in need during the festive season.

Demi-Lee Taylor, 35, of Bayswell Road, started a kindness campaign called The People’s Christmas Miracle, which aims to support families, the elderly and the homeless in East Lothian at Christmas.

She asked people to donate clothes, baby items, toys and food to help those in need.

The mum-of-two was moved to act in light of her own experiences and from hearing of the problems faced by others.

Demi, who is a life coach and an author who writes books for the terminally ill, said: “I have been approached by parents in the school playground who say their children are having to go into school without breakfast; some are being bullied because they can’t afford to go on school trips.

“I hear the elderly limit their food and heating and the homeless are left out in the cold.

“I don’t believe anyone should suffer, especially at Christmas time. It’s a time for family and friends to get together, no one should be left out.

“Many of our elderly and homeless are ex-soldiers and it makes me wonder why the people who fought for our country are just left to live this way.

“Poverty in families in this day and age shouldn’t exist. Foodbanks are overstretched because so many people are turning to them now for help.

“Our children are the next generation and shouldn’t be forced into poverty.”

Demi-Lee used to be on Universal Credit and has seen the impact it has had on today’s society.

She added: “If parents work but still have to claim Universal Credit to bump up their income, they’re told that they earn over the threshold so can’t get help. I strongly believe this is how bullying starts because some families can afford things while others can’t.”

And she added: “I came from a poor family: my parents struggled every single day but we got by. It was hard but they managed it and they always gave us a brilliant Christmas.

“Some people are embarrassed to ask for help but they shouldn’t be. If I can help them I will.”

One hour after setting up her Facebook page, she was receiving messages and donations from all over East Lothian.

She said: “It’s amazing to see the community coming together and helping people.

“I can’t believe the support and reaction, it has been amazing and it is nice to see there are still nice people out there.”

Demi is holding a bake sale in the Co-op on Dunbar’s Countess Crescent from noon on Sunday.

And she is also preparing a dinner for 60 elderly and homeless people on Christmas Day in Dunbar Parish Church.

Demi wants to continue her work every Christmas, and hopes it expands beyond East Lothian in future.