THE simple act of giving is a tremendous power which can enrich lives and bring joy to both the giver and recipient.

As Paul Blair says about his five-year-old son James, who has a rare heart condition and is waiting for major surgery, he wants to “teach him about the power of giving”.

And he is doing just that.

Instead of becoming fully absorbed in their own battle, father and son are reaching out to other sick children and delivering 200 presents to bring some much-needed festive cheer at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Paul said he hopes it will “brighten their day”

We are sure it certainly will.

It brings to mind the famous quote from Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Next time you see a charity box, a Big Issue seller, a homeless person or simply someone in need of a smile or chat, think of what you can give.

Smile at a stranger. In fact smile at a couple.

It will enrich both you and the other person and you never know, giving might just become a habit.