The Hamilton Advertiser’s Christmas Toy Appeal officially came to an end this week – with more quality toys than ever before being donated for disadvantaged children across South Lanarkshire.
Kind-hearted readers, organisations and businesses have gone all-out to help make this one of our biggest and best campaigns to date.
Thousands of toys and gifts have been handed in to our office on Campbell Street over the last five weeks as well as at the bases of our appeal partners,
the Hamilton branch of The Salvation Army and the Happy Feet Nursery in Larkhall.
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Toy appeal co-ordinator and Advertiser reporter, Leona Greenan, has been delighted with the success of the appeal.
She said: “We made some huge changes to the appeal this year by asking people to donate brand new toys and gifts only, as well as introducing our new toy appeal partners to the fold just days before launching the campaign.
“It’s safe to say I was feeling slightly anxious what the response would be, but once again the donations received this year have been overwhelming. Thank you to each and every person and company who donated. It is remarkable how kind people are.
“Along with our team of volunteers at the Salvation Army, we will now sort the toys into age and gender and the social workers will collect the gifts this week in time for the parents, family members, or carers to wrap them and send them off to Santa for his Christmas Day deliveries.
“Every single donation received is sure to give disadvantaged children an extra-special Christmas Day.
“Thank you once again, and Merry Christmas to all.”