A Christmas Kindness campaign saw more than 2000 gifts distributed across East Kilbride to those who otherwise would have had nothing under the tree.
The initiative – spearheaded by the charity Share Alike – saw a number of organisations come together.
And 300 of the gifts went to care home residents who wouldn’t see their families.
EK, East Kilbride, Morrisons Lindsayfield and Stewartfield, Urquhart Travel, East Kilbride Rotary and Take 5 all got on board the EK Christmas Kindness campaign to make sure no one missed out.
And the ‘A Christmas to Remember’ campaign which was the brainchild of mum-of-four Joanna Rae also supported the festive gift collection.
On top of the collection of gifts, the campaign’s £2000 fundraising target was also met thanks to the amazing generosity of everyone in the town.
Annmarie Campbell from Share Alike told the East Kilbride News: “It has been absolutely fantastic seeing the community pull together again during such difficult times – the response at times was overwhelming.
“Suzanne and her colleagues at EK, East Kilbride and Jaineigh Fallan, community champion at Lindsayfield Morrisons, really got behind the team and helped so much.
“A massive thank you to all in East Kilbride as over 2500 individual toys and gifts were donated and were made into Santa packs for the young and old of our community.
“Bless you all for Sharing Alike and showing the spirit of Christmas and community in our town."
Despite the restrictions many businesses and local residents faced, everyone got behind the campaign including Barrett Homes who donated £1000 of Argos vouchers, Westwood Community Council with a £500 grant and EK Housing Association who gave a £250 donation.
Other organisation who supported the campaign were All about Darts, fitness groups Fitbuddies and Get Fit with Fiona, as well as Kelvin Kabs who donated £500.
Residents in Jackton also clubbed together to raise nearly £300 as did EK town centre security staff.
Numerous families and indivduals also dug deep including the family of badminton player Diane Gillan.
Meanwhile, staff at Hunter Primary school and all the children and staff at Duncanrig Secondary School arranged a toy collection of new and nearly new toys and McDonalds Queensway, and the Nike store in Kinsgate supported the campaign.
EKFC Blue 2006s team and Jack and Jills Nursery also roped in all their staff and parents to make homemade cards to be given to the elderly and donated.
A spokesperson for EK, East Kilbride said: “Thank you to everyone who donated to the EK Christmas Kindness campaign.
“As a result of the huge generosity of our shoppers and others throughout the town the campaign collected hundreds of Christmas presents for those in need across East Kilbride.
“The team at Share Alike have worked tirelessly and have done a fantastic job in organising the distribution of all the gifts.”
Estelle Sykes from Barratt Homes West Scotland said: “It’s really important to us to support the small but mightily important charities like Share Alike who carry out important services in the communities that we have a presence in.
“We’re pleased that the donation was put to such great use and play a small part in ensuring as many people as possible were able to celebrate a happy Christmas.”
