Christmas is coming, and with less than three weeks until the big day, it’s the busiest time of the year for the big-hearted volunteers behind the Hamilton Advertiser’s annual toy appeal with the Salvation Army.
Hundreds of gifts have so far been donated but we are asking generous readers, local residents and businesses to donate even more toys, games, books and vouchers ahead of the closing date this Monday, December 9, to ensure that as many families as possible across Hamilton can benefit and have welcome gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.
The appeal received a huge boost this week thanks to staff and customers of Asda in the town centre, who collected hundreds of items filling six fully-loaded trolleys with a wide range of donations as they once again got behind the annual appeal.
Community colleague Gillian Summers was thrilled by the wholehearted backing for the appeal by shoppers and colleagues, and has been busy transporting all the items to the Salvation Army’s base at Burnblea Street in the town where they will be sorted and distributed from next week.
She said: “We have a variety ranging from baby toys to toiletries for teenagers, and have collected books for all ages, cuddly toys and board games.
“I would like to say a massive thank you to all the colleagues who have saved all year for the toy appeal and to our Asda Hamilton customers whose generosity has been amazing and have donated so many toys and books; and to George department section leader Marie for co-ordinating the collection.”
Asda’s toy appeal trolley will still be in pride of place at the front of the town-centre supermarket until this Sunday, December 8, and gifts can also be handed in to both the Salvation Army headquarters plus their charity warehouse at New Park Street near Morrisons.
New, unused and unwrapped gifts for children aged from birth to 18 are warmly welcomed by organisers of the appeal, now running annually for more than a decade, and they will then be distributed with the help of South Lanarkshire Council’s social workers plus local charities and good causes.
Last year’s appeal received an incredible 1300 donations and the Hamilton Advertiser is asking our local community to give generously in the closing days of the appeal to match that total for 2024.
Hamilton Salvation Army captain Wendy Leisk said: “So far it hasn’t been as busy as in previous years but we’re hoping that will change with a last-minute rush this week – Asda’s amazing donation will have a big impact and lots of churches including ourselves will be having their annual toy services this weekend.
“We’re hoping that we can meet the demand as always. I’m sure we will as people are so generous and the appeal always exceeds expectations.
“Anything people can donate is really appreciated. Gift vouchers are always a great donation as they’re good for teenagers so we’re looking for more of those. We’ve had them in the past for stores like Boots, Asda, Primark and JD Sports.”
The appeal can also accept cash donations, used to top up the stocks of age-appropriate items for the children and young people across Hamilton who will receive much-welcomed Christmas gifts thanks to the generosity of local residents and businesses.
Both cash plus gift vouchers of any amount up to a maximum of £20 must be handed directly in to the Salvation Army headquarters at Burnblea Street, which is open from 10am to 2pm on weekdays.
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