Representatives of charities and good causes were welcomed with an overwhelming amount of donations at the Stirling Observer Give A Gift Appeal’s main collection day last week.
They were delighted to collect a bumper amount of items from us last week, allowing them to get started on the hard work of distributing presents to the children and young people they support.
Once again Stirling Council kindly offered the use of a local community hall to accommodate the donations.
While delighted and overwhelmed by the donations, many representatives of the charities and good causes have seen the need for their services – and the gifts – higher than ever before.
Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “The response to the appeal is something we never taken for granted but which has always been both overwhelming and humbling.
“Yet again the people, groups and businesses of Stirling have truly pulled out all the stops.
“Given the cost-of-living crisis, we genuinely didn’t expect to have as many donations as before for understandable reasons.
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“But the people of Stirling again showed that in the worst of times they show the best of themselves. All those who were able to donate really made an incredible effort.
“The appeal is a huge undertaking for us every year, but having use of a local hall was also vital in the organisation this year so a big thank you to all at Stirling Council who made that possible.
“The collection day is admittedly quite an experience. It’s a bit like the January sales except no one has to pay at the end of it.
“We particularly must thank all those charities and organisations who come along. They are the ones who do the really hard work and who are supporting children and young people in our communities all year round.
“We know they will do everything possible to make things happen at Christmas, but hopefully the appeal also takes some of that pressure off for them.”
Among the 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.
Groups 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, were also able to receive toys for children and families they support.
And we were also able to support other causes and charities for the first time.
The Observer thanks all those who donated or supported the appeal in any way.
“Without the drop-off points,” added Kaiya, “the appeal just couldn’t happen so a huge thank you to them all.
“Most of all thank you to all those who have donated to the 2021 appeal, many who have done so year after year.
“While we would all rather such a need didn’t exist, the people of Stirling should be proud of their response and their willingness to make Christmas Day a better experience for so many children and families than it might otherwise
be.
“We hope it shows to people who may be having a difficult time, particularly at Christmas, that their community cares about their struggles, whatever they may be.”
Keep an eye out in forthcoming editions for photos and details of some of the donors and drop-off points who contributed to this year’s appeal.
To see video footage of the haul of donations visit the Stirling Observer Facebook page.
