Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas charity celebrates ten years of delivering 900,000 gifts to children in poverty

A charity which has delivered over 900,000 gifts to help children in poverty celebrate the magic of Christmas is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas is marking a decade of ensuring young people across the city have a special present on Christmas Day.

The campaign started in a car park and has grown into helping more than 120,000 local kids.

All of the donated toys, from nought to teenage years, are destined for local children.

Julie Griffin said: “Having received all the donations we get from JustGiving, we convert that money into all of this.

“All of these toys and the best bit has to be when we see them all picked and packed and we see them going out the door to our charity partner. everyone who joins Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas knows exactly where their gifts are going and which organisation will be distributing them.”

The campaign wants to make sure no child goes without a present at Christmas, as more than 30% of children across the UK live in poverty and the demand for help is soaring.

“No child should go without, not a gift and some are going without even a hot meal,” said Julie. “So whatever we can do as a community, that means the world to us and we know it means the world to the families who receive these wonderful donations from our community and donors.”

More than 860 charities will receive the presents and deliver them to families in need.

One of the charities involved works with children who have cancer or a life-threatening illness.

Angela Cook said: “A lot of our kids will be in hospital over Chirstmas so they won’t get spending it with their silblings or their families.

“So we take these gifts in and on Christmas Day they’ll open them in the hospital so they’ve got a big gift. It’s just they’re going through such a hard time and see wee presents, it just means the world to them.

“You see their mum and dad’s face as well and it’s such a magical time.”