CITY are launching their Minstermen Christmas Appeal on Sunday, with the aim to provide gifts for seriously ill youngsters and the elderly who are without family.

The club is asking fans to donate presents to the Bootham Crescent club shop. The club will then wrap the gifts which will then be distributed by the players during the Christmas period.

In a change to previous seasons, City will donate the gifts to Martin House Hospice, Yorkshire's first hospice for children and young people, and also York's Salvation Army.

Chris Brass, Lee Nogan and the players will visit the hospice and will attend the Salvation Army's Community Carol Service during the festive period to officially hand over the presents.

The last date for gifts to be donated to the club shop is Saturday, December 13.

Updated: 10:07 Saturday, November 08, 2003