Ding ding! We're certainly punching above our weight with support for our annual Christmas toy appeal this year, with news that a Lanarkshire boxing gym has pledged to raise vital funds for our campaign.
We are delighted to announce that the popular Bellshill-based Fighting Scots Gym, with members in Lanarkshire and across the globe in Dubai, are taking up a mammoth challenge in aid of disadvantaged children across the county.
For 12 gym-goers, including owner and businessman Francis Gilluley, are set to row 50km in just one day, whilst urging people to donate to their JustGiving page.
The team will then hand over all monies raised to our appeal so we can purchase much needed chocolates and selection boxes for the hundreds of children on South Lanarkshire Council's social work services lists, as well as the dozens of other outside referals we receive from people in need each year.
Every child on the list will then receive a sweet treat along with a bag of Christmas goodies, courtesy of Advertiser readers and supporters on Christmas morning.
Boxing gym owner Francis Gilluley said: "We have our very own charitable trust set up called the Frank Gilluley Foundation in memory of my dad, a well respected Bothwell boxer. Our charity aims to help people within our local community by fundraising and then donating to those in need most.
"We are delighted to this year be backing the Advertiser's Toy Appeal and we will be rowing our socks off to raise as much as possible.
"We will also be asking people at our upcoming Fight Club evening at the Alona Hotel, Motherwell, to dig deep and support the appeal as well as urging those at the forthcoming Tyson Fury afterparty event at the SEC Armadillo to help with a small donation also.
"We really think we can make a huge difference to the appeal this year - especially seeing as we are in the middle of a cost of living crisis that may well affect donations coming in."
With this in mind we are asking Advertiser readers for a little help with a vital donation of a brand new toy, clothes or pyjamas for children aged newborn to 12.
We also require gift sets, fragrance, make-up, games, new clothes or gift cards for the teenagers. Cash donations are also warmly accepted and will be used to purchase items for the older kids.
Items can be handed into either of the Starbucks coffee shops/drive-thru's in Hamilton, or at Rocca restaurant on Cadzow Street, Hamilton, at the Salvation Army church on Burnblea Street, Hamilton (daily from 10am to 12pm), or at the Happy Feet Nursery in Larkhall.
Alternatively please contact Advertiser reporter, Leona Greenan, on email leona.greenan@reachplc.com for further details or to arrange collection of goods.
To donate to the rowers please do so here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/2022selectionboxappeal
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