The spirit of Christmas
Representatives of charities and good causes were greeted by the sight of a treasure trove of toys and gifts last Wednesday at the Stirling Observer offices.
Once again Observer readers admirably answered the call to support their local paper’s festive Give A Gift Appeal, helping to ensure many children and young people experience a better Christmas than they may have been facing. Workers and volunteers from a stream of local charities plus a host of social workers and family support workers from Stirling Council, were able to choose gifts for the sick, disabled, needy and disadvantaged children they support.
Among the good causes who benefited were Barnardo’s, Stirling Young Carers, Stirling and District Women’s Aid, Stirling Down’s Syndrome Playgroup (now known as KiDS), Support4Families, PLUS, Home-Start Stirling, Forth Valley Royal Hospital children’s ward, and Cornton Vale and Glenochil Family Help Hubs.
Others who were unable to attend on the day have also been having toys distributed to them to pass on to the youngsters they support. All were overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity from people of all ages and walks of life right across Stirling. Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “The appeal exists not only to ensure these children and young people receive gifts they may not otherwise have had, but also to show them and their families that their communities care about and acknowlege their struggles. This can seem a particularly lonely time of year when you are facing challenges.
“The outpouring of support for this appeal is humbling and illustrates to those in need that their community does indeed care.
“One of the charities has already told us that a girl they support cried when told she was receiving something thanks to the generosity of people in this area. That speaks volumes.”
The collection day itself has become an annual event for the Observer appeal, which has now been running for more than a decade.
“It is a huge undertaking for us,”