KENNETH SPEIRS

The generosity of Paisley people knows no bounds – especially at this time of year.

This was certainly the case for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Appeal, which has been inundated with gifts from churches, organisations, businesses and Buddies.

The Paisley Daily Express backs the appeal every year and encourages people to give what they can to make Christmas a success for the children of families who cannot afford to buy presents.

Over the past week, Salvation Army soldiers and volunteers have been sorting and wrapping the gifts, which are soon to be distributed to families so that their Christmas Day will indeed be merry and bright.

Last week, we revealed that there had been a huge increase this year in the numbers of referrals to the Salvation Army’s appeal,

Around 1,800 children were referred this year, compared to 1,200 in 2018.

The appeal is now over for another year and Major Alex McNee, of the Paisley Salvation Army in Mill Street said the referrals, which come from social workers and other agencies, will all be met.

Youngsters, including children up to the age of 16, are all given a generous package of gifts for Christmas morning.

Major McNee said: “They usually all get a main gift, a smaller gift and selection boxes.”

It is thanks to the Salvation Army’s highly-organised troop of volunteers that all of these are correctly sorted and distributed in plenty of time.

Gavin McInally, editor of the Paisley Daily Express, said: “A very big thank you to all of our readers who gave so generously to the appeal.

“It’s sad that some families can’t afford Christmas at all, but we have done everything we can to bring a bit of help to them for the big day.

“None of this could have been possible without our friends at the Salvation Army, who have been absolutely brilliant.”

A very big thank you to all of our readers who gave so generously to the appeal