Extra special Christmas for kids in need
Children across the Stirling area will be experiencing a better Christmas than they may have expected thanks to the generosity of Observer readers.
Representatives of a host of charities were overwhelmed by the scene which greeted them last Thursday at our offices when they came to collect the items donated to our annual Give A Gift Appeal.
Two office spaces 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.
Liz Penman from Strathcarron collected gifts destined for children supported by its Seasons for Growth programme, which helps youngsters through bereavement, and for some of the families with loved ones being cared for at the hospice.
She said: “The children will be absolutely delighted and it is much appreciated.”
Social workers who collected toys included Caitlin Dyer and Frances Cotterill of Stirling Council children and families (north) team.
Frances said: “Our team supports children all over the area and covers a wide reach including places such as Crianlarich, Buchlyvie and Killin. People can be assured there are children all over the Stirling area benefiting from these donations.”
Molly Feinman of Stirling Young Carers said: “I am absolutely amazed by the generosity of the community. We know the young people are extremely grateful for what they received from the appeal. These items are going to kids who really don’t get a lot and it is also nice for them to get something which shows to them that people care.”
Rachel Cameron of Homestart Stirling, which supports families with children aged five and under who are going through difficult times, said: “We are really overwhelmed by people’s generosity this year. There is a huge amount of gifts for the children. Many of our families struggle to afford Christmas, however this is not just about money but about acknowledging that people can still be struggling with mental and physical health problems or other issues at this time of year, so to be able to give some extra gifts to families is so important.”
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 and Stirling Council also provided support and donations were gathered in thanks to a host of collection points across the area.
SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) staff even arrived with a car packed with toys just before the charity representatives turned up. Staff at the organisation have supported the appeal since it was established almost a decade ago, using money generated by their staff tuck shop all year round to buy a host of toys and gifts.
Stirling Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks, main organiser of the appeal, 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 Masonic Lodge 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 coordinate this appeal for a few weeks every year to help out those who are supporting those in the greatest need all year round.”
Every year we are astounded at the level of generosity