The national news seems to be full of doom and gloom – what hope is there for the new year?

According to forecasts at least 600,000 jobs look set to be lost and, coupled with the effects to the property market and interest rates, the 'credit crunch' seems set to affect everyone in some way or other.

The other day I was in Woolworths and it seemed hard to wish the girl on the checkout a 'happy new year' when I knew she would be out of a job within days.

And then there's the world situation with the troubles escalating in the Middle East and hundreds of people being killed.

There seems to be little we can do to change the world situation or halt the economic crisis – even if we do decide to spend, spend, spend in the January sales.

But maybe that's not where our focus should be.

We often hear the phrase 'charity begins at home'. It's not one of my favourites – I struggle with the idea that the people I live closest to or know the best are more worthy of my time or money than those suffering from famine or disease in the developing world or living in war-torn countries.

However, when it comes to making a difference we can do so in our day to day lives with the people we meet – those we live with, work with and see on a day-to-day basis.

I remember the story of a boy who was seen throwing stranded starfish, one by one, back into the sea. A passer-by asked what he was doing and told him he must be crazy – there were so many starfish to help, what difference would it make.

The boy then picked one more starfish and flung it into the sea. "Well, it made a difference to that one!" he answered.

As we move into 2009 and think we can do nothing to help people in the Dales and further afield, why not make a new year's resolution to help those we can.

We may not be able to end the economic crisis or bring world peace but I'm sure we can help put a smile on the face of the person next door or give a helping hand to those in need.

Perhaps then we can wish people a Happy New Year!

Tim Hopkinson, deputy editor