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Regional press gives festive thanks – but also shows stark reality of Christmas 2020

Regional newspapers have used their last front pages before Christmas to praise their readers’ generosity – but one has also issued a sombre warning for the festive season.

A number of different newspapers including the Halifax Courier, Nottingham Post, Portsmouth daily The News and the Yorkshire Evening Post have splashed with messages of thanks on the cover of their Christmas Eve edition.

But the reality of Christmas 2020 has also been brought to mind by the Leicester Mercury, which shared a message from the family of one coronavirus victim on its front page.

A plea by the family of Keith Yates for the Mercury’s readers to stay safe was accompanied by a reminder than more than 1,000 people across Leicestershire have died due to Covid-19 this year.

Leicester Xmas

The Mercury illustrated its point with a picture of an empty chair, unopened Christmas cards and an unpulled cracker.

Other papers used today as an opportunity to thank the spirit of giving to good causes on their patches.

The Courier praised its “kind” readers for their generosity in the Helping Hand campaign for Overgate Hospice.

Xmas HAlifax

In Nottingham, the Post splashed with the headline ‘Thank You’ and revealed £104,000 from the Robin Hood Appeal would be going to helping the city’s most vulnerable people.

Xmas Notts

The same headline appeared on the YEP’s front page as it honoured the “Christmas stars” of Leeds.

Xmas YEP

In Portsmouth, The News revealed the Comfort & Joy campaign had raised a record £16,000 to help families in need.

Xmas Portsmouth