Hat’s just fantastic
Delight at Toy Appeal
Hundreds of underprivileged children across South Lanarkshire had a happy Christmas t hanks to a local travel agency toy appeal.
Fo r t he f o ur t h ye a r Thomas Cook stores in East Kilbride and Strathaven collected toys for needy children living in the area.
And this year proved to be bigger and better than ever.
Staff at t he t wo East Kilbr i de Shopping Centre branches, and one i n St r at haven, fi l l e d more t han 50 bin bags with t oys and gifts.
The i ncredible coll ecti on f or babies to t eenagers, which also i ncl uded nappies, c l ot hes and gi f t packs, more t han doubled the amount received in previous years.
Princes Square branch manager Lorraine Stairmand told the News: “Th i s ye a r ’s ap p e a l ha s be e n amazing.
“The last day for donations was the Friday before Christmas and people were still coming in with toys right up to Christmas Eve.
“When we delivered t he gif t s to South Lanarkshire Council’s social work department they were overwhelmed.
“I can’t commend the people of East Kilbride and Strathaven enough for their generosity.
“It went a long way to helping so many struggling families living in poverty this Christmas.”
And, i t wasn’t j ust s hoppers who were helping out, staff in the Pr i nces S quare, The Pl aza and Strathaven store also handed in t oy s an d d o nat e d th e i r Se c r e t Santa money t o make s ure t he pile of Christmas presents got even bigger.
They al s o ran a raf fl e f or t he agency’s children’s charity.