THE Glasgow Times have launched a new campaign to save Christmas for families across the city. The Scottish Government child poverty statistics for Glasgow show that 34% of children are living in relative poverty, which is over 36,000 children. The Bank on Us Toy Appeal is calling on Glaswegians to donate toys to youngsters throughout the city and take pressure off the hard working mums, dads and guardians who are facing an uncertain festive period due to the Covid-19 crisis.
The Glasgow Times have launched the second year of Bank.On.Us – our festive foodbank appeal last year successfully ensured the city's foodbanks were well stocked through December, when families are likely to experience increased financial pressures due to rising heating bills. This year we are back to save Christmas, by aiming for every child in Glasgow to open a present this Christmas. We are hoping our readers, nurseries, schools and city businesses will get behind it.
As Glasgow is amongst a fresh lockdown, we hope you will join us in doing all we can to spread some Christmas spirit to those who are struggling most this holiday season. As the festive season approaches, toy banks across the country are gearing up for an influx of struggling parents and guardians hoping to bring joy to their little ones this Christmas. Each year, hundreds of Glaswegians are referred to the sites by social workers, foodbanks and children’s charities. However, this year, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause redundancies and businesses to fold, it’s expected to be worse than ever before with potentially thousands of families across the country relying on the banks.
How can you help?
Enclosed in every edition of 4th December’s Glasgow Times is a paper bag and we are asking readers to add a toy in and take it to your nearest toy bank or drop-off point across the city. But if this isn't possible, we have a fleet of vans ready and waiting courtesy of First Bus who will be collecting bags from a number of city centre locations including A1 toy stores, storage vault premises detailed below. Many schools from around the city are also participating in the campaign too.
The appeal has been backed by some of the city’s largest companies, including A1 Toys, First Bus, Scotwest Credit Union, Storage Vault and football news website Open Goal. A1 Toys will offer a drop off service for online customers using its click and collect feature while stores are closed due to the Scottish Government’s level four ¬restrictions. From December 4, shoppers will be able to set aside a toy for the appeal in their online basket to fill the Glasgow Times paper bag. The toy retailer will then add an extra 20 per cent of value to every bag donated, which will then be picked up by Glasgow Times staff and delivered to local toy banks. It is hoped the shop will serve as a drop off point if lockdown restrictions ease as planned on December 11. Meanwhile, donation bags can be dropped off at the Storage Vault’s Glasgow, East Kilbride, Bishopbriggs, Cambuslang and Paisley locations.
We are also asking readers to help get the message out about our appeal on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #bankonus.
For a list of Toy Appeals you can directly donate to, CLICK HERE
Not able to donate a toy but can donate money instead?
We know not everyone is able to go out and purchase a toy to donate therefore we are asking you to donate money to this campaign. Proceeds raised will be used to purchase toys. These gifts will be distributed to charities around the city.
To donate money to the cause please visit our Go Fund Me Campaign Page by clicking the button below.
We hope you'll get involved and help to spread a little cheer as we round off this extremely difficult year.
