Stirling unites to give kids a top Christmas
Charities are preparing to descend upon the Stirling Observer offices this week to ensure some of the area’s most disadvantaged children get a Christmas boost.
Individuals, organisations, businesses and schools have been lending their support to our annual Give A Gift Appeal, which aims to ensure the festive season is a little brighter for sick, needy and disabled children and young people across the Stirling area.
Among those who answered the call for help is Bill Flockhart of Budget Tyres in Stirling. When we told him that PLUS, the local charity which provides socialising opportunities for children and young people with disabilities, was looking for 80 selection boxes for some of the youngsters they help, Bill was only too happy to come up with the goods.
Karen Scott of PLUS said: “This was such a beautiful and kind gesture from Bill and we thank him so much for his generosity.
“Could we also say a special thank you from everyone at PLUS to everyone who has supported and helped us through the Give A Gift Appeal and throughout the year.”
Staff at Stirling Council also came up trumps in an effort led by city centre project officer Fiona Buchanan, gathering in an astounding amount of gifts for the appeal.
Among the charities and good causes which help to distribute the gifts donated every year are StirlingYoung Carers; Home-Start Stirling which supports families with young children going through difficult times; Stirling Women’s Aid; Barnardos; Stirling Council social services; Plus; Cornton Vale and Glenochil Family Support Hubs; and foodbank charity Start-Up Stirling.
Families supported by Strathcarron Hospice and children helped by its bereavement service, Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s children’s ward, and the new Stirling Down’s Syndrome Parent and Toddler Group have also been added to the beneficiaries this year.
Collected at our offices in Upper Craigs and with the support of a host of drop-off points across the area, the gifts aim to ensure no local child goes without on Christmas morning and those going through difficulties know they are acknowledged by others.
Drop off points can be found at: STIRLING: Stirling Observer, 34 Upper Craigs; Nationwide Building Society, Port Street; The Peak Leisure Centre; BALFRON: Balfron Library; BANNOCKBURN: Bannockburn Post Office; BRIDGE OF ALLAN: Tree House, Henderson Street; CALLANDER: Clanranald Trust, former St Kessog’s Church, Ancaster Square; DUNBLANE: Beech Tree Cafe, 2 Beech Road; Dunblane Centre, Stirling Road. Collections are being made from the drop off points today (Wednesday).