ONE of Glasgow’s largest toy appeals has partnered with the Bank On Us campaign to help spread festive cheer throughout the city.

Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas, which is organised by the Cultivating Mindfulness charity, has been bringing gifts to families in need since 2014 with a massive 63,887 children already having benefitted from its work.

Last year, it was one of dozens of groups which joined forces with the Glasgow Times to help save Christmas in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic - and it’s back to do it all again for 2021.

However, this year the charity is hoping to go even further than the already £2.2million worth of toys delivered to homes across the city and its surrounding areas, such as East Dunbartonshire and North Lanarkshire, over the past six years.

Organiser Julie Griffin has urged readers to help spread the “Christmas magic” by bringing a gift to young people who will otherwise go without on December 25.

A statement from the group said: “The sad reality is that one in five children in Scotland and one in three in Glasgow lives in poverty, and many more re affected by hardship this year due to the global pandemic.

“That figure is set to rise over the coming years with a massive increase forecasted in child poverty.

“We want to make sure every child is included at Christmas and has a wonderful magical experience.

“You and your family can become a Secret Santa to a local child in need this festive season.

“No one can imagine waking up as a child on Christmas Day to no presents.”

Those looking to give a donation to the charity can do so with either cash or a gift, which can be packed into the Glasgow Times recyclable paper Bank on Us bag following their release last week.

Prior to dropping off a present, readers can choose which charity or organisation they would like the gift to be delivered.

A section of the Cultivating Mindfulness website allows users to pre-select their choice from a drop down menu to ensure the present can be delivered to a cause close to their heart.

Work is already well underway at the Southside based charity, however, it will be collecting donations until December 20 to its headquarters at 31 Gavinston Street.

The service runs on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday evenings with some afternoon openings.

For a full list of opening times, please contact the group directly or visit its social media channels.

To make a cash donation to the Glasgow Times Bank on Us GoFundMe page, which will then be used to buy a child a present on your behalf, please visit here.