Readers rise to challenge
Superb response to our Christmas appeal
We appealed for your help and once again readers overwhelmed us with their generosity.
Local charities are preparing to descend upon the Observer offices this week to help Santa deliver a host of gifts to sick, needy and vulnerable children across the Stirling area.
From individuals to businesses, and from schools to workplaces, people everywhere have again got behind the Stirling Observer Give A Gift Appeal 2016.
Among those who showed incredible kindness this week were Stirling Council staff, who donated a collection of gifts that even Santa would have been struggling to fit onto his sleigh.
Stirling Council’s Economic Development Manager Stuart Oliver said: “When we first suggested the idea of participating in Give a Gift this year our staff were immediately keen to help and support with donations.
“We set up a few different donation points within council buildings and are delighted with the number of toys and games we have managed to accumulate.
“The kindness and generosity of our staff has been overwhelming and we hope the gifts will make a difference to local children and young people on Christmas morning.”
Since launching our Give A Gift Appeal in 2008, tens of thousands of gifts have been distributed to the sick, disabled, needy and disadvantaged.
Among the charities and good causes who will be turning up to take away and make good use of the toys and gifts will be: Stirling Young Carers,Aberlour, HomeStart Stirling, PLUS, Cornton Vale Family Hub Project, Stirling Women’s Aid, Cultenhove Opportunities and Social Services.
Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “Every year we are amazed by the generosity shown to the appeal. It is always extremely humbling, particularly when you get feedback from the charities about what it means not just in terms of how it eases the pressure on their own precious resources but especially what it means for the individual children they support.
“Some of the children might otherwise not get a gift at Christmas, but it is also important to remember that the act of giving means that many of them will know that people do actually care about what they might going through.
“This is a mammoth task for us every year, but one we are privileged to be involved in. Knowing the tremendous work all these charities and good causes do all year round, being able to support them in this way is the least we can do. It is also an opportunity to show how the entire Stirling community is really able to come together at this time of year.”
See Friday’s and next Wednesday’s Observer for photographs and more on how the gifts are donated, collected and distributed. Anyone who still has gifts to donate after tomorrow (Thursday) can get in touch with us on (01786) 451110 or email: news@stirlingobserver.co.uk and we will endeavour to pass them on to relevant charities.