Support has been rolling in for the 15th annual Stirling Observer Give A Gift Appeal after its launch last week.
Generous readers, workplaces and locals have already been getting in touch to say they are planning to donate to this year’s effort to ensure deserving youngsters across the area receive toys and gifts this Christmas.
With the cost of living crisis hitting hard, demand is greater than ever before, with new charities and causes also getting in touch seeking our help.
Stirling Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “This could well be our toughest year yet, with more people in need but fewer people in a position to help.
“We are exceptionally grateful, however, to those who feel they are still able to donate.
“We have been lucky enough to be able to take on more and more charities and good causes every year, and again this year we are seeing more new requests coming forward which we desperately want to fulfill while ensuring those longstanding organisations who have received support year on year continue to do so.”
Running since 2008, the appeal receives and distributes donations of new toys and gifts for sick, disabled, needy and disadvantaged children and young people aged from newborn babies right up to teenagers.
Collected with the kind help of a host of drop-off points across the area, the gifts are then distributed via a wide range of charities, large and small, who are able to choose what they need for those children they support.
Among the many charities and good causes which help to distribute the gifts every year are: Stirling Young Carers; Home-Start Stirling which supports families with young children going through difficult times; Stirling Women’s Aid; Stirling Council social services; PLUS, which provides social opportunities for children and young people with disabilities; Cornton Vale and Glenochil Family Support Hubs; FVRH children’s ward; and Support4Families, which helps families affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol misuse.
In recent years groups and foodbanks set up by local volunteers in the Observer circulation area including CRAG (Cowie), Ladies of the Rock, Polmaise Community Council, and Love in a Box, have also been able to receive toys from the appeal for children and families they support, and other one off requests have been fulfilled.
Stirling MP Alyn Smith is among those who has already donated.
This week he encouraged Stirling residents and businesses to support Give A Gift.
He said: “Amidst the continuing economic uncertainty and turmoil, I’m really glad to see the Give A Gift appeal return for another year.
“I know for so many children and households, the generosity of ordinary residents and businesses across Stirling really does brighten the Christmas period.
“The cost of living crisis has left many communities struggling, but if we can at least make sure children have gifts to open on Christmas Day then I’m sure that simple gesture will go some way to relieve some stress this festive season.
“As ever, I’d like to thank the Stirling Observer for pulling this together. Local journalism is extremely important to the health of our democracy, and keeping our community informed.”
If you would like to organise a collection of gifts at your workplace, school or group, would like to be one of our official drop-off points, or would simply like more information, contact the Observer by phone on (01786) 451110 or email: news@stirlingobserver.co.uk or kaiya.marjoribanks@reachplc.com.
We will aim to photograph and feature as many collections as possible in the Observer in the run-up to Christmas.
