Standard's Christmas Toy Appeal 2012 launches

Nov 16 2012 by Sharon Liptrott, Dumfries & Galloway Standard

Christmas is just around the corner and we are determined to make sure that underprivileged children in Nithsdale will have a present to open on December 25.

Today we launch our annual Standard Christmas Toy Appeal and urge our readers to again rise to the challenge of donating a new toy, gift voucher, cash or chocolate treat for an unknown child.

Every donation, however small, will make a huge difference to those who need to feel the magic of Christmas the most.

A gift voucher/card, selection box or tube of sweets are all as welcome as a cuddly toy, doll, boxed game, car set, arts and crafts, construction kit, toiletry set or whatever else you could generously donate. to make a child or young per

Last year, thanks to your generosity, we were able to give gifts to over 600 children, ranging from newborns to teenagers who were brought to our attention by many agencies or by individuals.We hope to do the same again this December – with your help.

Alcohol and Drugs Support South West Scotland [ADS] has joined forces with the Standard this year as partners in the toy appeal, alongside Janice Cowan.

Staff and volunteers within ADS are committed to helping people tackle the difficulties they face due to alcohol, drugs and gambling problems, and to help get their lives back on track. Dr Angela Roberts of ADS said: “Christmas can be a very difficult time for some families, and with the ongoing recession showing no signs of improving, things are tighter than ever. We believe the toy appeal has never been more important, and ADS looks forward to helping make the 2012 appeal the most successful yet.”

From today until December 17, we are asking our readers, local groups, organisations and businesses to dig deep and help.

Marks and Spencer in Dumfries were the first business to come on board this year and store manager Louise McIlroy said: “We are only too happy to help again. Please make donations at the special tree we have up for the toy appeal at the coffee shop.”

Boots, Argos in the Loreburne Centre, Tesco Extra at Cuckoo Bridge and Tesco at the Peel Centre, Lockerbie Road, Dumfries have all agreed to collect toys and sweets from the public for our appeal this year.

And we’ve been given a huge boost by the Dumfries Lions Club who have donated £200 worth of toys to kick start the appeal.

Their president Richard Hall said: “We are only too happy to help such a worthy cause which will make sure the most needy children will have a Christmas gift. We hope other organisations will give their support too.”

It is important that children, regardless of their background, have the chance to enjoy a special day at Christmas. People have been so generous in the past and we hope they will do the same this year.