The Renfrewshire Toy Bank Christmas appeal is up and running and spreading festive cheer across the district.
Already hundreds of presents have been donated to the appeal, which distributes them to charities, community groups and social work staff who make sure everything goes to those children most in need.
Renfrewshire Toy Bank was started four years ago by Renfrew mum Lauren Roy-Sutherland.
She and her team of hard-working volunteers have been hard at work collecting donations from the dozens of collection points across the district and handing them out.
And although the people of Renfrewshire have already been very generous – they still need more.
Lauren said: “We’ve been busier than ever. Whenever we put put an appeal on our social media we get a great response and get really busy.
“We do want to keep going though and not have our unit sitting empty when we have so many referrals still to get through.
“We’ve done 810 referrals so far and have at least 1,000 still to go.”
Lauren takes pride in making sure the presents are tailored to each referral so that children receive something that’s age-appropriate.
And they are struggling to get enough donations for teenagers who are at risk of missing out this Christmas.
She said: “We’re short of everything but particularly for teenagers and especially teenage boys.
“We aim to get all teenagers a gift card but we want to have something for them to open as well.”
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Suggested items for teenagers include headphones, pyjamas, Lynx, makeup and water bottles.
If you’re not sure what you can donate, the toy bank has an Amazon wishlist.
As well as the donations from members of the public, many small local businesses are digging deep to support the toybank.
Claire Perry from Davidson’s Bar in Renfrew raised a fantastic £1,035 by completing Sober October with her partner Paul as well as holding a raffle and football cards in the bar.
Lauren said: “Claire has been amazing for us. This is the second year she’s supported us and it’s been amazing.
“She wanted to thank the staff at B&M in Paisley, her in-laws and all of the lovely customers and staff from Davison’s who have been so generous. You are all amazing!”
Brand new toys can be dropped off at numerous small businesses across Renfrewshire as well as all libraries, Morrisons and Tesco supermarkets.
For the Amazon wishlist go to https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3FO9E6GBMPXEO and to pay via PayPal, go to www.paypal.com/paypalme/renfrewshirectb.
For bank transfer donations pay to: The Renfrewshire Christmas Toy Bank, account number – 19679963 and sort code – 80 22 60.
For more information on the appeal and where you can drop off, go to www.facebook.com/renfrewshirechristmastoybank
