Kind readers already answering the call
Support begins for Give A Gift in toughest year yet
Our generous readers are already responding to the call for this year’s Stirling Observer Give a Gift Appeal.
With 2020 bringing more than it’s fair share of challenges, we are asking everyone who can do so to support the effort to ensure children don’t go without on Christmas morning.
Running since 2008, the appeal receives and distributes donations of toys and gifts for sick, disabled, needy and disadvantaged children and young people aged from babies to teenagers.
Collected with the kind support of a host of drop-off points across the area, the gifts are distributed via a wide range of charities, large and small. This year we will also be distributing gift vouchers and gift cards.
Among the charities and good causes which help to distribute gifts are Stirling Council’s social services, Stirling Young Carers, Home-start Stirling, PLUS, Cornton Vale and Glenochil Family Hubs, Barnardo’s and Stirling Women’s Aid, Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s children’s ward, and Support4families.
The appeal also aims to respond to any one-off approaches from organisations which deal with children or young people whom they feel may be facing a difficult festive season. It also exists to ease the pressure many charities face over the festive season, allowing them to put resources they may otherwise have had to use for gifts into their other areas of good work.
Observer reporter and appeal organiser Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “Despite 12 years of the appeal, Christmas 2020 seems very much as if we are venturing into the unknown.
“Given the challenges everyone has faced, while people’s willingness to support Give A Gift may be strong, we can’t be sure how many of our usual supporters are able to do so again, whichis understandable.
“In the first few days since launching, however, we have been heartened to see that interest is still there. Hopefully that translates into much needed support for the charities and good causes - in particular for the children they care for all year round.
“Whether faced with a health issue, poverty, or struggling with family circumstances, the appeal is always a way to show these vulnerable but brave young people that they are not as isolated as they might think, and that their community cares.
“Even if Santa is the only stranger allowed through their doors or down their chimneys this Christmas, let’s all make sure he doesn’t go in empty handed.”
If you would like to organise a collection of gifts at your workplace, school or group, would like to be one of our official drop-off points, or would simply like more information, contact the Observer by phone on (01786) 451110 or email: news@ stirlingobserver.co.uk or kaiya. marjoribanks@reachplc.com.
We will aim to photograph and feature as many collections as possible in the Observer in therun-up to Christmas.