The generosity and kind hearts of the people of Airdrie and Coatbridge has once again shone through as hundreds of gifts have been donated to the Monklands Christmas Toy Appeal.
The community appeal, now in its 12th year, has seen an incredible 14,000 gifts collected to date and distributed through volunteer groups to families in need in time for Christmas morning.
This year’s appeal has received around 500 donated gifts – with more still to come.
Donation points were set up at Airdrie supermarkets Morrisons and Tesco and at Asda in Coatbridge for welcome gifts to be distributed to local children and young people aged from birth to 18.
Delighted toy appeal co-ordinator Norbert Grant, from Chapelhall, told Lanarkshire Live: “Members of the Ramblin’ Midgies, mainly Brian Morgan and Naomi Sweeney, have been busy elves going around the district and handing over the much appreciated gifts to local group community groups and organisations who work closely with local families and schools; and we have directly gifted to local schools.
“A new start-up business, Sense of Wonder, kindly handed over 50 gifts which were donated by parents who attend their regular classes, which has helped extend the expand the number of toys this year.
“And RCM Recovery from Wishaw generously provided storage and pick-up and drop-offs as and when required.
“The company’s recovery manager Andy has felt like Santa over the past couple of weeks as he has been hearing how the toys have made such an impact already.
“The kind team at Laing O’Rourke, the construction partner for the new Monklands Hospital, handed over about 60-70 toys to go to health visitors in Coatbridge.
“Special thanks go to the shoppers and staff of Asda, Morrisons and Tesco superstore Airdrie who have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure all preparations are being made for the elves to pick up deliver before Christmas.
“None of this could be done without this great team, and the other hard-working volunteers on the ground working to ensure no family is missing out at this time of year.”
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