Christmas and New Year is a time to appreciate your family and loved ones. But it is too easy to get wrapped up in the razzmatazz and glitz of present-giving to remember what the festive period is all about.

We tend to forget that families across the county are facing-up to life without loved ones, with tragedies happening at Christmas as they do at any other time of year.

The family of 26-year-old Melksham mother Sarah Clark has shown great bravery in coping with her death - just four days before Christmas Day.

The mother-of-four handpicked her children's presents before she lost her battle against cancer. A fitting tribute to their close family unit.

In equally tragic circumstances Trowbridge schoolgirl Jackie-Danielle Velvick lost her courageous battle for life after falling from her brother's bedroom window.

The four-year-old suffered terrible head injuries in the 20ft fall just three days before Christmas.

Our thoughts are with families who are not so fortunate this New Year as we reflect on what we have got to be thankful for.