Thank you isn’t enough
Charities are set to be blown away by people’s generosity today when they collect a host of gifts for disadvantaged local children from the Observer offices.
The Stirling Observer’s Give A Gift Appeal has now been running for a decade – and it has reached its landmark 10th anniversary in style.
Representatives of a host of local charities and good causes will be collecting toys and gifts from our offices this morning (Friday).
Local people, offices and workplaces, schools and nurseries, churches and individuals have all answered the call to help sick, needy, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across Stirling.
Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “Thank you simply isn’t adequate. Year upon year we are genuinely grateful for and indeed humbled by the response from readers.
“This year in particular, the amount of gifts we have received and the interest from all avenues of Stirling life has been astounding.
“The appeal is something we feel privileged to be able to do every year to help the community show its support for all these wonderful charities who are helping our most vulnerable children all year round.
“It is a major undertaking but one the charities leave us in no doubt is much needed and appreciated and which allows them to free up more of their already limited resources for their other good works.
“We can assure all those who donated that a child will be experiencing Christmas in a far more positive way than they might have thanks to their kindness.
“The children will know Santa hasn’t forgotten them and their families and carers know their community hasn’t forgotten them either.
“From nursery school children who want to help other youngsters to senior citizens, from small businesses to large operations like Morrisons supermarket and the Thistles, every last item and bit of support is appreciated.”
Among the charities and good causes which help to distribute the gifts every year are Stirling Young Carers; Home-Start Stirling which supports families with young children going through difficult times; Stirling Women’s Aid; Barnardos; Stirling Council social services; PLUS, which provides social opportunities for children and young people with disabilities; Cornton Vale and Glenochil Family Support Hubs; Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s children’s ward; Stirling Down’s Syndrome Parent and Toddler Group; foodbank charity Start-Up Stirling; and Support4Families, which helps families affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol misuse. Collected at our offices in Upper Craigs and with the support of a host of dropoff points across the area, the gifts ensure no local child goes without on Christmas morning and those going through difficulties know they are acknowledged. More on our beneficiaries and donors next week,