Easy way to Give A Gift to needy kids
Drop off points vital to reach of festive appeal
Drop off points across the area are gearing up to accept donations for the annual Stirling Observer Give A Gift Appeal.
And a new addition to the list of venues happy to gather in gifts for the festive charity effort is The Clanranald Trust headquarters in Ancaster Square.
The trust took over the former St Kessog’s Visitor Centre, reopening it as its HQ in February 2015. As a registered charity, set up to promote Scottish culture and heritage, Clanranald has more than 300 volunteer clan members from all walks of life.
They have a battle re-enactment arm, Combat International, which is regularly hired by television and film crews, as well as a medieval rock band Saor Patrol, and they work with schools to teach Scottish history.
Since opening, the trust has worked to establish itself as part of the wider Callander community, including playing a major role in local festivals and events.
Clanranald spokeswoman Malin Heen-Allan said: “We are delighted to act as a drop off point for the Observer’s Give A Gift Appeal. I’m sure the people of Callander will be keen to donate and we are happy to give them an opportunity to do so right on their doorstep in the centre of the town.”
The centre is open all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
All the toys donated find a good home thanks to the local charities and good causes which help distribute the gifts to sick, needy and disadvantaged youngsters.
They include: Stirling Council Social Services; Cultenhove Opportunities; Stirling Young Carers; Barnardo’s; Stirling Women’s Aid; Aberlour; HomeStart Stirling; PLUS; Cornton Vale Family Centre and Help Hub; and foodbank charity Start-Up Stirling.
We also accept requests from other organisations and good causes.
Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “We are extremely grateful to the drop off points, some of whom have been involved with the appeal since it began.
“Their cooperation means we can make it as convenient as possible for readers to donate gifts across our circulation area, which is one of the largest of any local newspaper in Scotland.
“To have Clanranald come on board is a great addition. Any other venues which may want to help are more than welcome to get in touch with us.
“Anyone who would like to make a gift donation but who may be struggling to get their items to us is also of course always welcome to contact the Observer office and we will do our best to advise or collect.”
If you would like to organise a collection of gifts for the appeal via your business, workplace, school or group, would like to be one of our official drop off points, or would simply like more information about the appeal, contact the Stirling Observer on (01786) 451110 or 459417 or email: news@stirlingobserver.co.uk or kaiya. marjoribanks@trinitymirror.com .
Your support will be greatly appreciated and we aim to photograph and feature as many collections as possible in the Observer over the festive season. Drop off points:
Stirling Observer office, 34 Upper Craigs; Balfron Library; Bannockburn Post Office; Tree House, Henderson Street;
Clanranald Trust, former St Kessog’s Church, Ancaster Square;
Dunblane Centre, Stirling Road.