SVdP hail successful public appeal

The Society of St Vincent de Paul has said its Christmas campaign has been a huge success this year.

The charity is currently distributing hampers and toys to the families of around 400,000 children.

The majority of the goods came from "giving trees", which were placed throughout the country in recent weeks.

St Vincent de Paul said the public left more than 20,000 gifts in these "giving trees" in the Dublin area alone.