Showered with gifts for needy
Festive cheer for charities
Representatives of a host of charities were overwhelmed by the generosity shown by the people of Stirling yesterday (Thursday) as they collected items donated to our Give A Gift Appeal.
The Stirling Observer offices were packed with toys and goodies destined for sick, needy, disadvantaged and disabled children and young people.
Books, Lego, games, arts and crafts, children’s clothing, cuddly toys, cars, dolls, balls and football boots and much more were all on display to allow the charities to choose for the children and young people they support.
Among the charities and good causes represented were Stirling Women’s Aid, Barnardo’s, Strathcarron Hospice children’s bereavement service, Stirling Down’s Syndrome Parent and Toddler Playgroup, Stirling Young Carers, Cornton Vale and Glenochil Family Help Hubs, Homestart Stirling, PLUS, Forth Valley Royal Hospital Children’s Ward and Stirling Council’s social work and children and families services.
Their representatives left in cars packed with bags and boxes ready to give youngsters a better Christmas than they may otherwise have had.
Once again donations flooded in from all over the area including from the staff, children and families at Croftamie Nursery and Riverside Primary School. The S6 pupils of Dunblane High School also organised a collection.
A number of businesses and workplaces including Budget Auto Centre, Blue Group, XAfinity, Nationwide, Stirling Council and SEPA also provided support and donations were gathered in thanks to a host of collection points across the area.
Stirling Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “Every year we are astounded at the level of generosity and goodwill people show. We have pensioners and children who donate every year without fail at one end and at the other end major businesses who like to give something back to the community.
“Every gesture is appreciated and one of the most important aspects of our appeal is that it is a tangible sign to those less fortunate at this time of year that others acknowledge their struggles.
“Just the other day we had Bannockburn Miners Welfare hand in selection boxes to us because one of their parties had been cancelled due to bad weather. It was extremely thoughtful of them to think of donating them.
“It is very humbling for the Stirling Observer team to be able to co-ordinate this appeal for a few weeks every year to help out those who are supporting those in the greatest need all year round.”
•For further coverage see next Wednesday’s edition.