Businesses pull out all the stops
A number of local businesses are among those who have been lending their support to this year’s Stirling Observer Give A Gift Appeal.
Despite the considerable challenges traders have faced this year, coupled with the Stirling area’s current Tier 4 Covid status, many of them have pulled out the stops to help.
The management team of the Thistles shopping centre have donated over £1000 worth of toys to the appeal, which receives and distributes donations of new toys and gifts for sick, disabled, needy and disadvantaged children and young people – from babies to teenagers – at Christmas.
While impacted by the Tier 4 restrictions, a number of essential stores and services remain open at the centre including for click and collect and takeaway services (more details at www.thistlesstirling.com/covid-19).
The staff of TK Maxx in Stirling also made a generous donation of gifts before the new regulations kicked in.
Manager Margaret Semple said: “It’s an amazing thing to do especially this year with all that’s going on. Myself and team very proud to help those in need at Christmas.”
Claire’s Accessories in the Thistles have regularly supported the appeal, and this year have donated a host of gift bags stuffed with goodies.
Drop off points across the area have also been providing vital support.
Stirling Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “Businesses have have had to face unimaginable challenges this year, so to see the enthusiasm from these and so many other businesses and drop off points is all the more appreciated.
“The Thistles team should have been looking forward to their busiest time of the year, however instead of dwelling on what might have been they have made this amazing donation. I know they are also helping other good causes locally this year, including local foodbank charity Start-up Stirling, so we feel privileged to have also benefitted from their generosity.
“TK Maxx and Claire’s Accessories have also faced having to close temporarily, yet thoughtfully still donated some incredible gifts.”
Readers and individuals, of course, however, play an enormous part in the appeal.
“It was really heartening to see people making a point of trying to get their gifts to the drop off points before Tier 4 came into play,” said Kaiya. “Most of our drop off points will remain open, however the fact so many readers made dropping off their donations a priority ahead of the increased level of restrictions is greatly appreciated.
“It has been a difficult year for everyone. While physically getting together might be difficult this year, the community is coming together in spirit as it has done so many times throughout this pandemic. The Stirling Observer team feel privileged to be able to play a small part in harnessing that effort.”
Charities will be distrbuting the presents soon so please get gifts in to any of our drop-off points as soon as possible.
Among the charities and good causes which help to distribute the gifts donated every year to the Stirling Observer Give A Gift Appeal are Stirling Young Carers; Homestart Stirling which supports families with young children going through difficult times; Stirling Women’s Aid; Stirling Council social services; PLUS, the local organisation which provides social opportunities for children and young people with disabilities; Stirling Interfaith Community Justice Group, which helps families and children at the Family Help Hubs at Cornton Vale and Glenochil; Support4families, which supports those affected by a relative’s substance abuse including kinship carers; Barnardo’s; and Forth Valley Royal Hospital children’s ward.
Collected with the support of a host of drop-off points across the area, the gifts aim to ensure no local child goes without on Christmas morning and that those children and their families going through difficult times know their community has them in their thoughts.
The appeal also exists to ease the pressure many of the charities face over the festive season and allow them to put resources they may otherwise have had to use for gifts into their other areas of good work.
Any businesses, schools or organisations are also welcome to offer their premises as a drop-off point or to hold their own in-house collections.