Please give a gift for a teenager

A Wishaw woman is hoping to put a smile on a teenager’s face this Christmas and is asking locals to help make this happen.

Community fundraiser Martine Nolan is working together with Semichem and North Lanarkshire Council for this year’s Give a Festive Gift appeal.

The team are encouraging customers to donate gifts purchased in-store to families struggling to afford presents for teenage children in the run-up to Christmas

The store on Main Street and the shops in Motherwell and Carluke have set up donation points where customers can give presents such as make- up sets, toiletries and hair products to the Give a Festive Gift appeal.

The aim of the appeal is to assist families who find the festive period challenging – after last year’s appeal helped around 600 families and 1500 children.

A community organisation instrumental in the appeal has been ‘Toys and Games Giveaway’, which was set up by volunteer Martine three years ago.

Martine started the campaign with the aim of providing 400 families, who are struggling financially, with much-needed Christmas presents.

While that campaign still continues to flourish, Martine also recognised that older siblings in these families were often forgotten about with cuddly toys unsuitable gifts for teenagers.

Semichem have donated £500 of vouchers towards funding presents for the families.

Martine said: “Thanks to Semichem for the donation of vouchers and for also providing us with the collection points with all their stores in North Lanarkshire – it has helped bring this idea to life.

“The Toys and Games Giveaway campaign has grown massively over the past few years and the difference we’ve been able to make to hundreds of families in the area has been absolutely amazing.

“But we noticed that the donated gifts we received weren’t always right for the teenagers, who have grown out of playing with toys and want something different.

“This initiative has been named the “Give a Festive Gift Appeal” and has been activated in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council to support tots to teens.”