Grangemouth children whose families are struggling with the cost of living crisis will have presents to open this year, thanks to a generous donation from staff at INEOS.
Kersiebank Community Project (KCP) now has a huge pile of toys, games and gifts in its base in Grangemouth town centre, all ready to go to families, thanks to the generosity of employees at INEOS FPS (Forties Pipeline System).
The Project works throughout the year with families in need and has a close relationship with INEOS staff, who have supported the annual Christmas Appeal for several years now.
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Bill Sloane, asset manager; Cliff Bowen, Unite the Union convener on site; Nicola Kirkham, administrator; and Gary Duncan from operations all visited the project's base in La Porte Precinct and were delighted to see the mountain of toys and gifts ready for wrapping.
Mr Sloane said: “The Kersiebank Community Project provides an essential service to many in our local community who need support, advice and a safe place.
"Our long term working relationship with the Project means that colleagues’ volunteering efforts and our donations are always aimed at where they are most needed and have the most impact.
"We are delighted to continue this partnership with the Community Project with the offer of toys, games and gifts for their Christmas 2022 appeal. This will ensure that children and young people in the families they support will have presents to open on Christmas morning.”
Bindi Green, chair of Kersiebank Community Project, said, “With the cost of living crisis biting, particularly this wintertime, more and more families are seeking our assistance and we are experiencing an increase in referrals from charities, local schools and members of the community.
“We are therefore extremely grateful for this generous donation of toys and gifts and for the on-going support local companies like INEOS provide to our project. This really does make a difference to the families that we work with throughout the year and who use our services.
"It will mean so much to so many especially at this time of year.”
Donna Murray, who is co-ordinating this year's Christmas appeal for the Project, says they are also very grateful to the local schools who have helped to make sure that the right toys are bought for the right child.
The INEOS team will also help deliver the presents to families via the schools in good time for Christmas, while families will also get a food parcel that will last a week and include goodies for Christmas dinner.
Donna said: "All of it is done in the strictest confidence - I don't even know the names of the children who will get presents.
"What we are trying to do is reduce as much stress as possible for people at this time of year so that families can relax and enjoy it and just be a family."
