A mystery kind-hearted lady is spreading festive cheer for lots of Lanarkshire children by gifting hand-crafted teddies to be collected outside local schools.
It is understood the woman knits the cuddly toys all year round, and one found by a mum in Hamilton has already made Christmas for her four-year-old daughter.
Youngster Brooke O’Donnell was over the moon when she was given her knitted dog and has taken it everywhere with her since mum Claire came across it last week.
Many more teddies have been seen dotted about the town, carefully wrapped and attached to school fences with a note wishing youngsters a Merry Christmas.
Now, Claire is launching an appeal to find the secret Santa and thank her for the amazing gesture and showing Brooke the true meaning of Christmas.
The four-year-old has affectionately named her teddy Butterfly and it’s been by her side at a recent festive panto as well as a trip to the Edinburgh Christmas markets.
The act of kindness was loved by hundreds on social media as Claire put out a post showing how happy the teddy has made her daughter.
And it’s believed many more little ones were lucky enough to be gifted a hand-crafted toy, as locals are asked to spread the word for the woman to get in touch.
Claire told Lanarkshire Live : “I had seen a post the day before we found the teddy with people asking what was with all these teddies tied to the schools, and someone mentioned there’s a lady that knits them all year round then at Christmas time ties them to the fence so kids can take them.
“When I was out I found one with a little Christmas message and brought it home. I gave it to my daughter who is such a sentimental person and her face just lit up when I told her that the woman wanted her to have it.
“She thought it was the best thing ever.
“It was a knitted dog which she named Butterfly and took it with her to a panto on Sunday, and it’s gone everywhere with her since.
“She takes it to bed with her and even to Edinburgh when we went last week.
“I just want to say thank you to the lady that’s knitted these, we still don’t know who it is.
“I would just like her to know that it’s had such a positive impact on my daughter and she’s only four.”
The gesture has inspired Claire's family, and they want to make sure they can keep the Christmas spirit alive.
“It really opened it up to explain what Christmas is all about", Claire explained.
"They small acts of kindness in these current times make such a difference.
“I’ve heard others in the area have picked up similar teddies and Brooke’s was a dog and we have two dogs which made it extra special for her. It was just such a nice thing to do.
“The message said ‘Merry Christmas - small parts included’ and I thought it was so sweet.
“At this time of year, it’s just so nice, especially with everything that’s going on right now.
“I do believe in that paying it forward with acts of kindness and I’ve explained to Brooke about these things like charity shops so now she’s wanting to do things and she’s only four.
“Something so small like that really does have a strong impact on people.”
In an appeal to find the kind-hearted woman who spent all year knitting the toys, Claire said: “I would just like her to know how nice her act of kindness was and say thank you.”
If you are able to help with the appeal, contact the Lanarkshire Live team on Facebook.
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