West Lothian children’s charity River Kids, has been announced as The Centre, Livingston’s partner for May.
As part of its Support in the Community initiative, the shopping centre helps a different organisation every month by giving them free pop-up space in the mall for a weekend to raise funds and awareness and appeal for donations.
Broxburn-based River Kids, which has received ongoing support from The Centre for many years, including providing donations for their Toy Appeal, has been helping disadvantaged local children and their families in West Lothian and the wider community, financially, emotionally and practically since 2005.
Through a referral system, River Kids provides pre-loved and new clothing, shoes, toys and homeware to families who are facing financial difficulties. They also provide small financial grants to support children’s participation in extra curricular activities by purchasing sports equipment and part-funding school trips.
They also support young adults who are experiencing barriers to employment by offering volunteering opportunities and work experience through a six-month work placement programme.
River Kids also manages the West Lothian Toy Appeal which provides gifts to children at various milestones throughout the year and key calendar dates, including birthdays and Christmas.
Visitors to the shopping centre on the weekend of May 27 and 28 ill be able to find out even more about the great work River Kids is doing in the community. They will also be able to drop off adults and kids clothing donations, in good condition, which will be passed on to the families they support.
In addition to free pop up space in the mall and marketing support, River Kids also receives a £250 Gift Card donation.
Jack Christine, charity manager at River Kids, said: “ We would like to say a huge thank you to The Centre, Livingston for choosing us as their charity partner in May.
“We are very grateful for the £250 gift card and for the opportunity to raise some much-needed funds and awareness of the services we are currently providing in the local community at our pop up in the shopping centre at the end of the month.”
Patrick Robbertze, centre director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are delighted to support the charity, River Kids, as part of our monthly ‘Support in the Community’ initiative.
“Each month a different local charity is invited into The Centre and given free pop up space over one weekend to help raise awareness of the great work they are doing in the local community and to also raise funds.
“We’ve been working with River Kids for many years now and we are delighted we can continue to help them to help even more families in West Lothian and the surrounding areas.”
If you are a local charity or social enterprise who might benefit from being The Centre’s monthly charity partner, as part of its ‘Support in the Community’ initiative, check out the ‘news’ section on the website for details on how to apply www.thecentrelivingston.com or email enquiries@thecentrelivingston.com.
To find out more about River Kids, check out their website - www.riverkids.org.uk
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