Generous gift haul distributed
Sick, needy, disabled and vulnerable children across the Stirling area will be enjoying a brighter Christmas this year thanks the overwhelming generosity of Stirling Observer readers.
Charities descended on the Observer offices yesterday to start choosing from the incredible amount of toys and items donated to our 2016 Give A Gift Appeal this year.
With donations from primary schools, businesses and individuals from across the region, festive spirit was displayed in abundance.
Among the longest established supporters of the appeal are the staff of SEPA, who have an office based at Stirling’s Castle Business Park, who have donated a host of items to the appeal over the years - 2016 being no exception.
The monies to fund the toys were raised via the SEPA tuck shop and items donated covered every age group.
Staff at Stirling Council also donated generously, donating a mountain of gifts which Santa would have been struggling to get on his sleigh.
Parents, staff, pupils and the local community around Port of Menteith Primary School also answered the call, as did a number of other local schools including Riverside Primary.
Our appeal, and the number of charities supported, has grown every year and we are never disappointed by the response from readers.
Among the charities who have been collecting the gifts and will help Santa to distribute them are Stirling and District Women’s Aid, PLUS, Social Services, Cornton Vale Family Help Hub and Stirling Young Carers.
Drop-off points across the area have also proved vital in giving readers more opportunities to deposit their gifts.
Anyone who may still have items can hand them in to the Observer offices at Stirling’s Upper Craigs and we will endeavour to pass them on to the relevant charities before Christmas.
Any charity or good cause which has not been helped so far is also still welcome to get in touch with requests.
Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “The response has been overwhelming. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated, from the workplaces, schools and businesses to the many individuals who have put such thought into their donations. A special thanks must also go to the charities, who are doing great work all year round for these children. It is a privilege to be able to support them in this way at this time of year.”
•For full details and pictures from our exciting collection day see Wednesday’s edition of the Stirling Observer.