Thousands of people in Rutherglen and Cambuslang will be assured of a Christmas gift thanks to the generosity of local residents and businesses.
Over 2500 brand new presents were handed in to this year’s Healthy ‘n’ Happy Community Development Trust’s gift appeal and volunteers spent days sorting through them all at their shop unit.
The unit in Rutherglen Exchange Shopping Centre, which was the drop-off point for donations up until December 1, was a hive of activity when Lanarkshire Live arrived to see sack-loads of items that were kindly gifted being sorted.
Healthy ‘n’ Happy team members Jan Taylor and Janice Fountain were busy working their way through them and they have now been distributed to young children, teenagers, families and older residents.
Healthy ‘n’ Happy took requests via an online form and Jan and Janice set about placing them into gift bags then, with the help of colleagues, then phoned every person who had made a gift request and arranged for them to drop into the unit and collect.
Lesley McGinty, of Healthy ‘n’ Happy Community Development Trust, said: “It’s a huge operation and they did an amazing job. We don’t wrap the gifts if they are for children – we put them in gift bags and supply wrapping paper and cellotape, so parents and guardians can see the gifts and wrap them themselves, so they feel fully involved.
“We were absolutely delighted with the response to our gift appeal and sincerely thank everyone who donated.
“We had the best response yet, with around 2500 gifts given, which will help around 650 local CamGlen residents who are really struggling. This will give them and their families a better and easier Christmas. What amazing community spirit!”
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