Volunteers in Angus are ramping up efforts to provide gifts for struggling families this festive season.
It takes them hundreds of hours bagging up presents for less fortunate children who would otherwise have little to open on Christmas Day.
Organisers at the Angus Toy Appeal expect to receive around 1,500 referrals, many of which will be families with youngsters living in poverty.
“We actually spend, just filling bags, 145 hours of our own time volunteering,” said one of the lead volunteers, Sharon Spink.
STV News“You get a lot out of it. If you didn’t get a lot out of it you just wouldn’t do it.
“Christmas is such a busy time for everybody, for your own family, to do your own shopping.
“To fit in 1,500 children as well, it’s a huge undertaking.”
Gifts are transported from the back of the volunteers’ own cars, and bagged up, ready for delivery
This year, from one school alone, the charity has received 140 referrals.
STV News“They are in one of the worst economic areas for deprivation,” said the charity’s chairperson, Lynn Richards.
“It shows the school works really well with the parents.
“We know it makes a big difference, the feedback from the teachers when the parents get the bags is complete relief.”
Presents are donated to the charity by local businesses, including The Craw’s Nest in Carnoustie, which has raised around £2,000 worth of gifts.
STV NewsPub owner Jennifer Lawrence said: “It’s doubled this year [donations] from what it was last year, due to our staff doing fundraisers for it and the customers are so generous at this time of year.
“We pride ourselves on being a community pub so we want to be able to give back to people who come in and support us.
“Children shouldn’t wake up on Christmas morning without any toys.”
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