Donations flood in despite tough times
She might not have the sleigh, the beard or the red costume, but Emily Lynch is Cambuslang’s own Santa Claus.
The dental nurse has collected presents for needy children every Christmas for the past four years, and as the festive season gets underway again she’s already on the hunt for gifts.
Emily’s collected presents will all go towards the Glasgow Spirit of Christmas appeal, and she’s encouraging more locals to get involved and help out.
She told the Reformer: “It’s been going well so far – I’m up to 82 presents already.
“I wasn’t sure how it would be this year as I know it’s harder for people due to the pandemic – people have maybe lost jobs, or been on furlough for a while, and the prices of everything have been going up too.
“But everyone’s been really good and there’s such generosity. There’s people from past years who’ve been coming back and helping again, which is really nice.
“There’s no limit or expectation on it at all because everyone has different situations, so any gift is really welcome.
“They’ll be going to families who will have nothing or very little, and it can make a real difference at Christmas.”
Emily, who works at Cambuslang Dental Care on the town’s Main Street, has had to adjust the past two years to cope with coronavirus regulations.
Whereas before items could be dropped off at her work, now she has to pick them up herself. However, she’s still cheerful about her task.
She added: “It’s not hard work at all, because I enjoy sorting the presents out and picking them up.
“My boyfriend might disagree though, as he’s the delivery driver for everything!”
Anyone who wants to help Emily can email her at justpink00@hotmail.com or give her workplace a phone call to sort out the details.
She’ll be collecting presents through until the first week of December, before the appeal ensures they’re handed out to youngsters to open on Christmas Day.
More information on the Spirit of Christmas appeal can be found at https:// glasgowsspiritofchristmas.org.uk/
I wasn’t sure how it would be this year due to the pandemic but everyone’s been reallygood.There’s such generosity Emily Lynch