East Ayrshire Carers Centre has launched a Christmas Gift Appeal to give young carers a festive period to remember.
Last year the independent charity received over 1,000 donated items, including snuggly pyjamas, games, crafts, make-up and beauty sets, football and sports equipment as well as gift vouchers.
Volunteers are hoping to receive even more donations this year for boys and girls aged 5-18.
Items donated need to be new and unused, it can include toys, family games, toiletries, sports toys, books, arts and crafts materials, gift vouchers, pyjamas, slippers, hats and scarves.
A spokesperson from East Ayrshire Carers Centre said: “We used to receive ad hoc donations, but launched a targeted appeal for the first time nine years ago.
“A couple of years ago, a young carer who was attending groups at our Carers Cottage had asked if she could make a ‘Santa Stop’ sign.
“Staff encouraged and supported her to do this and she was so pleased with her work,
“Staff asked if she wanted to make it for any special reason and she quite calmly replied that she wanted to make sure Santa definitely knew where she lived as he’d not visited her before – she thought it was because she must be on his naughty list but that because she would be 6 years old soon, she had managed to be really good all year and just wanted to make sure Santa knew this.
“This keeps us motivated to make sure as many people as possible know about these amazing wee folk and how they can help us deliver Christmas to them.”
East Ayrshire Carers Centre is also encouraging offices and workplaces who normally do Secret Santa to be a Secret Santa for a young carer instead, and those workplaces that take part in the annual Christmas Jumper Day on December 12 to wear their winter woollies to support the charity.
Donations for Young Carers Christmas Gift Appeal can be made until December 16 to Kilmarnock Carers Centre at 7 Bank Street from Monday to Friday from 9am until 3pm.
Carers Cottage at Howard Park from Monday to Thursday from 11am until 3pm.
Cumnock Carers Centre at 39 Barrhill Road from Monday to Thursday from 10am until 4pm and at Dalmellington Carers Centre at 1 Townhed on Tuesdays from 10am until 4pm.
Don’t miss the latest Ayrshire headlines –sign up to our free daily newsletter