The Observer team has been busy this week gathering in the final items for this year’s Give a Gift Appeal.
Charities and good causes will be collecting a huge number of items from us today (Wednesday), allowing them to get started on the hard work of distributing presents to the children and young people they support.
Drop-off points have been pivotal in allowing the generous people of Stirling to get their donations to us.
And a host of workplaces and organisations have organised their own collections which we have been picking up across the area.
Tesco Express in Fallin was one of the latest premises to offer its services as a drop off point.
Meanwhile, Cambusbarron childminder Moira Kerr and the children she cares for once again raised funds with a bake sale in order to buy toys.
Moira, who has been a stalwart supporter of the appeal, and her young charges, raised an incredible £255 to buy toys and gifts.
When thanked, the typically humble childminder said: “I will pass your kind words on to the children, their parents and our friends. Without them this wouldn’t have been possible - but we only do a little bit to help.”
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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, but people, groups and businesses of Stirling have truly pulled out all the stops this year under the most difficult of circumstances once again.
“The appeal has obvious benefits for charities and those in need or going through hard times, however it also has less expected benefits. Moira is a great example of that as the children she takes care of will hopefully remember their efforts and the positive difference they have made and take that with them in years to come.”
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 babies to teenagers.
Collected with the kind support of a host of drop-off points across the area, the gifts are distributed via a wide range of charities, large and small.
Among the charities and good causes which help to distribute gifts are Stirling Council’s social services, Stirling Young Carers, Home-Start Stirling, PLUS, Cornton Vale and Glenochil Family Hubs, Barnardo’s and Stirling Women’s Aid, Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s children’s ward, and Support4Families, as well as several community groups and organisations.
Kaiya added: “This year we have been able once again to welcome other good causes on board. That is thanks to the generosity of the people of the area.”
For more on those who have supported the appeal this year and the distribution of the gifts see forthcoming editions.
