Kind-hearted members of the Tesco store in Dingwall have generously donated gifts to ensure children waking up on Christmas morning in homeless accommodation in Ross-shire are delivered a special parcel to open.
The abundance of gifts has been generated by members of staff with organisers of the drive left “overwhelmed” and “staggered” by the generosity shown.
Highland Council estimates that 47 children under the age of 16 will spend Christmas in temporary homeless accommodation, with the gathering of Christmas presents building on a similar initiative carried out over the past two years.
Highland Council Principal Housing Officer, Derek Manson, said: “Being homeless is challenging for anyone at any time, and being homeless with children at this time of year can be particularly difficult.
“Despite the determined efforts of the housing team in Dingwall to permanently rehouse all homeless persons as quickly as possible, inevitably there are families in temporary, but suitable, accommodation over Christmas.”
Mr Manson expressed his thanks to all involved, adding that the housing team will be out delivering the gifts prior to Christmas.
Tom Norton of Tesco said the success of the project in previous years encouraged staff to undertake the drive once again.
He said: “It is incredibly humbling to see how generous all my colleagues are. They really do epitomise what Christmas is all about, and for that, I cannot thank them enough.”
