Hundreds of children are to be given the Christmas they dream of even though their families are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn.Radio personality Miss Thang, aka Kristy Burgess, is ready to give Santa a run for his money by drawing up a Christmas Wish List.The idea behind the annual fundraiser is to ensure families who are too proud to ask for help don’t go without this festive season.Miss Thang, who has been recognised by The Queen for her charity work, is appealing for the names of children in Bermuda who need presents to open on Christmas Day.From newborns to teenagers, Miss Thang then calls on sponsors to make children’s dreams come true by buying toys, clothes, shoes and food vouchers.It is the fifth year Miss Thang, who presents the afternoon show on HOTT 107.5, has spread her festive cheer in conjunction with her charity; The Phenomenal Women’s Association.She says the festive appeal is time-consuming and hard work, but she admits it’s all worth it when she sees the smiles on children’s faces.Miss Thang said: “There is an enormous need.“Statistics have shown that there are many people out of work, but what most people haven’t realised that there is a vast need for the basic necessities like water, electricity and food.“If one cannot afford the basic things; how do you expect these individuals to afford the larger components like rent and gas?”Last year’s Christmas Wish List helped out about 250 families, but this year’s appeal is expected to help even more people because of the economy and increasing cost of living.Miss Thang said as no child asked to be brought into the world, she believed they each deserved “a fighting chance to succeed in life, no matter what the cost”.People are now invited to go to the offices of HOTT 107.5 on Union Street to fill out an application form for each child they want to anonymously nominate. The child’s name and contact details are needed.All nominated children will be put into a database then individuals and companies will be encouraged to ‘adopt’ a child or family to purchase gifts for.And on Christmas Eve Miss Thang will phone up the families live on air and surprise them with gifts of all shapes and sizes.Miss Thang said: “I understand that this is a trying time for many people in Bermuda but there are also many individuals and businesses that are in a position to donate and I hope with their help, I can make a difference in the lives of many this holiday”.Miss Thang has been involved in charity work from an early age and was awarded the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour for community service in the New Year Honours.She said the Christmas Wish List involved round-the-clock work as it often kept her awake until the early hours of the morning.But she said she was motivated to keep on going as the Christmas Wish List “means so much to so many people”.Miss Thang said: “The Christmas Wish List is my ‘child’ and with having this as a child I must do everything I can to make my child successful.“Even though it is not an easy task, my passion for helping others coupled with my love for children is the main reason I continue to do it every year”.Miss Burgess will also be collecting monetary donations and hopes to raise $10,000 so she can continue to help those in need into the new year.Miss Thang is also hoping to keep on giving by handing out food vouchers and gas vouchers to families in the new year. She is also hoping to help seniors who are struggling to pay their electricity bills during the colder months.Donations can be made to The Phenomenal Women’s Association HSBC bank account, number 010-758381-001.For further information on the Christmas Wish List, you can e-mail Miss Thang at phenomenal-lady[AT]hotmail.com