A campaign to help those most in need this Christmas was officially launched with a bumper £1000 donation.
EK, East Kilbride is pulling out all the stops and joining forces with a number of other organisations across the town - and the News is backing the much-needed initiative.
Following the success of the initial EK Christmas Kindness campaign last year, the shopping and leisure centre has donated £1000 from the centre’s Community Fund and teamed up with charity Share Alike and other groups and organisations to ensure the most vulnerable members of the community receive a gift this Christmas.
In addition to the funding, there is a special Christmas Kindness tree at the centre management office where shoppers can pick up a tag, buy an appropriate gift and drop it off at the Share Alike unit - located at Righead Gate, opposite the back entrance of M&S – before Sunday, December 19.
Other drop off points across the town include Lindsayfield Morrisons, Tesco St Leonards, Dollan Aqua centre and MSP Collette Stevenson’s office.
EK, East Kilbride will be joined by a host of other organisations to support the campaign including East Kilbride Housing Association, Tesco, Morrisons Lindsayfield, South Lanarkshire Leisure, AGAPE and SAVI Kids.
Figures from across the political spectrum have also thrown their weight behind the charity with SNP MP, Dr Lisa Cameron, SNP MSP Collette Stevenson and SNP Councillor John Anderson joining Labour councillors Graham Scott and Monique McAdams at the launch of the campaign in East Kilbride’s town centre this week.
Annmarie Campbell from Share Alike told Lanarkshire Live : “Despite the challenges resulting from the various restrictions last year businesses and community groups across East Kilbride managed to collect over 2000 Christmas parcels for the most vulnerable members of the EK community.
"Over 300 of these gifts went to care homes, with a number of food packs including Christmas turkeys and other festive products, given to families.
"It was a monumental effort and I know that those who have signed up to help again this year will pull out the stops to support those most in need across the town.”
A spokesman for EK East Kilbride told us : “EK, East Kilbride supports a number of charities and community initiatives throughout the year and the festive season is no different.
"EK shoppers have shown their generosity and caring spirit time and time again, and we have no doubt they will push the boat out to support the Christmas Kindness Campaign.
"It is a tremendous initiative that will ensure that those in need across the town, whatever their age, have something to look forward to this Christmas.”
For more information and to find out how you can help the Christmas Kindness campaign, go to its Facebook page.
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