Overwhelmed by generosity and kindness
Biggest response in our 12 years of appeal
More vulnerable children than ever before will get a present this Christmas thanks to an overwhelming response to our Give a Gift Appeal.
The campaign - now in it’s 12th year - saw the biggest community response yet after we urged “this year we need you more than ever”.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced more people into poverty and left many more counting the cost. But you still donated in your thousands in a remarkable demonstration of community spirit.
And the impact can be summed up by the response of one local mum, who found her family in crisis in the run-up to Christmas: “Thank you so so very much for your help. I never expected as much, you will never begin to imagine how truly grateful we are to you for helping give us a Christmas.
“I was seriously worried about what I was going to do - thank you.”
All the gifts donated and collected go to children who are disadvantaged, sick or disabled and are distributed to families supported by Stirling Council social services,
Stirling Young Carers, Stirling and District Women’s Aid, Support4families, PLUS Forth Valley, Home-start Stirling, Forth Valley Royal Hospital children’s ward, and Cornton Vale and Glenochil Family Help Hubs and others.
We were also able to help several groups including CRAG (Cowie Rural Action Group), Transform Forth Valley’s Time4us project, Inside Out, Polmaise Community Council’s community project and Plean Community Spirit.
Representatives of these charities and good causes were greeted by the sight of a treasure trove of toys and gifts just before Christmas at the Stirling Observer offices, thanks to the efforts of people of all ages throughout our circulation area.
Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “We are always taken aback by people’s generosity but really had no idea what the response to the appeal would be this year. So many people are struggling themselves, many people are still working from home and this has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone.
“After 12 years of the appeal, however, 2020 will go down in history. It has been very emotional to see the willingness of so many people to donate despite everything - and even because of it. The need has never been greater - but neither has the support shown.
“The charities and good causes, whether they are long established or have been set up since March, have somehow been supporting the most vulnerable in our communities in the midst of the pandemic. For the appeal to provide some much needed to support to them is a privilege and we hope in some way it also thanks them for their remarkable work.
“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated this year. While your own Christmas may not be all you might wish for, you can all know that your kindness will have made a particularly difficult Christmas more special for a local child.”