An Edinburgh charity is encouraging people to donate Christmas trees and decorations to those who are unable to afford them.
The Leith Collective which has stores in Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird, The St Enoch Centre and the Glasgow Fort also runs a free coat exchange to help with the cost of living crisis in a sustainable way.
Locals are being urged to search their homes for any unwanted Christmas trees and decorations that may be languishing in cupboards and attics for families in crisis.
Heather Kydd recently had a change of circumstance with her job and said this scheme would help her remain festive.
She said: “My job circumstances have changed lately so I’m watching my pennies a bit more – I don’t really want to buy things I don’t need so this sort of thing is absolutely perfect for me.
Some families don’t have anything at all and Christmas can be pretty bleak without any decorations so people deserve some Christmas cheer.”
The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, explained why the Christmas tree and festive food exchange is so necessary.
She said: “We’ve heard a lot of talk this year about people ‘feeling the pinch’ of rising costs, but from what I’ve seen, that’s a massive understatement.
“There are people genuinely struggling to survive. Christmas is a time for giving, and the gift of a Christmas tree, some decorations and a few treats to a family that has nothing is a lovely way to show them that they matter, that they are not forgotten, and that they too deserve to be included in the magic of Christmas”.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “The Leith Collective works hard all year round to support our local community. We saw first-hand just how needed the free school uniform exchange was in the summer and the impact it made to local families – and the festive season will be no different.
“Many of us have Christmas decorations we no longer use which could make another family’s festive season really special.
“I’d like to thank our visitors for their ongoing support towards these initiatives and ask that they donate what they can to The Leith Collective this Christmas.”
Christmas trees, decorations and non-perishable festive food can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird, Ocean Terminal, St Enoch Centre and Glasgow Fort during opening hours.
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