Article Source: Distributed on behalf of Bauer Media Group by BIG Partnership.
Last Updated: 12 December 2018 16:54
Families benefit thanks to the generosity of Forth 1 and 2 listeners across Edinburgh, The Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.
With the Christmas countdown officially on, Mission Christmas has been hard at work distributing gifts donated by the kind-hearted people of Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk to children across the region.
While for some, Christmas can be a magical time, for others it can be filled with stress and worry. Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids has received requests for over 23,000 children across the region so far this Christmas. One Parent Families Scotland supports single parents, helping them reach their potential in a number of ways including putting them on the path to further training, assisting them with re-entering the world of work and providing childcare.
With only one income to rely on, the charity finds that many children go without at Christmas but Cash for Kids seasonal charity drive has ensured 183 presents have been distributed to children of single parents helped by One Parent Families Scotland.
Tom Carroll from One Parent Families Scotland said: “Over the last few years One Parent Families Scotland has been helped tremendously by the kindness of Cash for Kids, Mission Christmas. This is a difficult time for many lone parents and the help that is given by Cash for Kids helps alleviate some of the stress and pressure felt at this time of year. On behalf of all the lone parents, and the children who receive Mission Christmas gifts, a huge thank you!”
It’s not just one parent families who face increased hardship at this time of year, support is also needed for those struggling to make ends meet as heating homes and providing food for the table often means presents are bottom of the list.
Whole Family Support Service provides invaluable support to disadvantaged families across Edinburgh and has also benefitted from Forth 1 and Forth 2’s Mission Christmas appeal with 63 presents donated to children who use the service.
Paul Henderson of Whole Family Support Service said: “Mission Christmas has provided great quality Christmas gifts for the families supported by our service, ensuring children wake up to a happy Christmas morning, relieving stress on parents.”
Victoria Hendry, Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids Charity Manager, said: “It really is incredibly rewarding to be able to support so many children and families that find this time of year particularly tough. The generosity of Forth 1 and Forth 2 listeners goes such a long way and makes a real difference.”
In 2017 nearly 21,000 underprivileged children from across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk received Christmas presents thanks to Cash for Kids Mission Christmas. £1.1 million was raised last year, ensuring more children than ever before awoke to brand new presents on Christmas morning.
Mission Christmas - in partnership with B&M Bargain and B&M Home Stores - is appealing for support to help even more children in 2018. New and unwrapped gifts can now be donated at a number of locations including local B&M stores and ASDA as well as at the Gyle Shopping centre. A full list of locations can be found at forth1.com/mission
Mission Christmas also accepts monetary donations which can be made online, via text or in person at Radio Forth, Forth House, Forth Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3LE.
Further information on how to support Mission Christmas is available at forth1.com/mission and the deadline for gift donations is 18th December.
Any gifts donated after the deadline, or surplus gifts from more popular age groups, will be distributed in the New Year to families in refuges and other emergency situations or stored securely to be used the following year.
Image: Tom Carroll from One Parent Families Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MOREA local pupil from Pathhead Primary School in Kirkcaldy is the winner of Miller Homes’ first ever Easter hard hat design competition, the homebuilder’s take on the traditional Easter bonnet.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREGreat Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MOREFriday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MORENew research released by VisitScotland reveals the growing popularity of Scottish traditional music, finding that over a third of Scots (34%) are listening to it more often in the past year.
READ MOREA stellar line-up of authors are set to take Paisley by storm at this year's Paisley Book Festival in April!
READ MOREThe AJ Bell Great Scottish Run is back on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October, and the Earlybird offer to save up to £8 off your entry ends this Friday 1st March at 10am.
READ MOREA Scottish author's poignant tale of generosity and kindness has raised £2,262 to help the homeless.
READ MOREDobbies is offering customers the chance to treat the mother figures in their lives to an indulgent Mother's Day Afternoon Tea experience and a special flower gift on March 9th & 10th.
READ MOREAn Impassioned photo-led exhibition that depicts the challenge, pride and responsibility felt by those working in Scotland’s fishing industry is to debut within the Scottish Parliament.
READ MOREThe Scottish Influencer Awards, the major awards ceremony celebrating Scotland's stars of social, has announced the full shortlist of nominees in the running to be named the Influencer of the Year.
READ MOREDobbies is encouraging gardeners of all ages and skill levels across the country to get one of their 5 a day by learning how to grow soft fruits at one of its free workshops in March.
READ MOREScotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this Valentine's weekend and is putting love on display as the country celebrates 10 years of same sex marriage.
READ MORETo mark the anniversary of Mary Queen of Scots’ death, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has released a digital 3D model of her death mask.
READ MORERory McIlroy will return to the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick from July 11th-14th, with tickets on sale now!
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, will be indulging people of all ages with its Valentine's Afternoon Tea, taking place across 68 of its stores on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 February!
READ MOREFollowing a sell-out run at the Fringe, Jack Docherty, the BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad and Absolutely, is taking his critically-acclaimed show David Bowie & Me: Parallel Lives on tour.
READ MOREWith less than four weeks until the first World Athletics Indoor Champion Glasgow 24 is crowned, organisers have revealed the medal specially commissioned for the event following a design competition.
READ MORE