Action for Children’s Upper Nithsdale Family Service received overwhelming community support to help families struggling over the festive season.
An appeal was initiated by the A’ the Airts Community Arts Centre in Sanquhar and the town’s primary school which received an incredible response from local schools, businesses and individuals.
Staff at the Upper Nithsdale Service were left stunned by the generosity of the donations which took the form of food, money, clothes and toys.
Action for Children’s Upper Nithsdale Family Service also received Christmas gifts and a chocolate treat for 140 children – from babies to teenagers – from the Standard’s Christmas Toy Appeal.
In addition, pupils at Sanquhar Academy – some of whom have used the Upper Nithsdale Service in the past – organised Christmas Eve boxes for the children as a means of giving back to the service.
Also, several local businesses helped support the campaign including Shaw’s Tile Factory in Sanquhar which donated toys and warm winter clothing for the children.
The Community Furniture Project, a local social enterprise group, donated £500 to the services and Browns Food Group donated turkeys for the families.
Another local business, The New Cumnock Spiritual Sanctuary, donated £250 and selection boxes for the children.
Jill Wright, service coordinator, at Action for Children’s Upper Nithsdale Family Service, said: “The cost of living and fuel crisis this year has made life incredibly difficult for some children, young people and their families.
“We have seen a significant increase in the need for support for basic household needs and we were able to access support from Action for Children’s crisis grant for support with electricity, gas, food, winter clothing and shoes.
“For many of the children, young people and families we support we knew that Christmas would be a highly anxious time with little, if any gifts, food or even a warm home, however, the response has been amazing and shows what a wonderful, caring community we have.”
“We would like to thank all of the people who gave so generously at A’ the Airts.”
