Businesses rally to support Advertiser's Toy Appeal for disadvantaged children as donations start to roll in

A host of Lanarkshire businesses and organisations have pulled a real Christmas cracker by backing the Advertiser's annual Toy Appeal.

Since kicking off our campaign a few weeks ago we have had huge support from those at Rocca restaurant on Hamilton's Cadzow Street who have donated over £500 worth of goodies.

We've also had massive backing from Mecca Bingo at Hamilton Retail Park who have erected a tree in their main foyer where gift tags can be collected and a toy/giftset purchased and dropped back into them for collection in a few weeks time.

As well as these we have toys being donated by Ascensos call centre and Dundas Fyfe Funerals in Motherwell, staff at Ferring Therapeutics in East Kilbride, Hays Travel Agents and Asda superstore, both in Hamilton, and the team at the Scottish Roads Partnership, the concessionaires for the M8 M74 M73 Motorway Improvement Project.

We are also due to take a collection of donations from Hamilton Grammar, Blantyre Old Parish Church and St John's Church in Hamilton.

And to top it all off we have selection boxes, toys and cash being donated by those who attend and support the Fighting Scots Gym in Bellshill and all of their events including the recent Fight Club night, which was held at the Alona Hotel in Motherwell last weekend.

Advertiser reporter Leona Greenan co-ordinates the appeal and is overwhelmed with the response.

She said: "To be honest I have been really worried this year, given the cost of living increase and how it will affect our appeal and the level of donations needed to ensure the children wake up to a wonderful Christmas.

"But in the last few days we have had so many people, companies, churches, schools etc all pledge their help, and it doesn't go unnoticed by the team at the Advertiser, our appeal partners the Salvation Army and also by social work staff at South Lanarkshire Council too.

"So a huge thank you to each and every person or business who has donated so far.

"We still have three weeks left however, to make sure this year is the biggest and best to date so please, if you can, make a little donation to us in aid of underprivileged children across Lanarkshire, who may well get nothing at all come December 25."

Whilst we are receiving donations at present, we still need a whole lot more help! Brand new toys, gifts, giftcards, pyjames, clothes, toiletries, games etc are needed from age newborn to 18-years-old.

We also accept donations of batteries, sellotape, wrapping paper, gift tags/bags and cash!

Donations can be dropped in at any of the town’s two Starbucks coffee shops, Mecca bingo, Rocca Restaurant, Hays Travel Agents in Hamilton shopping centre and Happy Feet Nursery in Larkhall.

Our appeal partners, the Salvation Army on Burnblea Street, Hamilton, are now also taking in donations Monday to Friday 10am till 12pm. These include brand new toys and games for children aged newborn to 12 and gift sets or vouchers for the 13- to 18-year group.

There is still plenty of time to make your donation – with our official appeal end date on Friday, December 9 this year. So, please consider supporting a family in need this Christmas.

You can also contact Advertiser reporter Leona Greenan for further information or collection by emailing leona.greenan@reachplc.com

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