A Moray charity shop is sorting through hundreds of donations to put a smile on the face of children this Christmas.
The Barnardo’s store in Elgin has had 344 sacks full of items handed to staff in the last week.
Volunteers in the high street shop are now busily sifting through the items to raise money to help children in need over the festive season.
Shop manager Debbie Barnham has seen youngsters come in with their parents to hand in items themselves.
She said: “We get a lot of toys handed in at this time of year. A lot of them are handed over by children themselves – they like to think they’re handing it directly to another child even though that’s not quite how it works.
“It’s been very busy in the last week with people coming in to hand items in. When the schools close at about 3pm we have a lot of children coming in to play with all the toys on the floor.”
Money raised from sales in the store go towards funding the charity’s children services in Moray. Proceeds going through the till at the shop go up about 40% during the festive season.
Volunteer numbers have swelled to more than 50 in the past year with up to 14 in the shop at once to cope with the rush of Christmas generosity.
Mrs Barnham said: “We like to get the place looking the part for the season. We’ve had children in painting baubles on the windows. It’s all part of what we’re trying to do.”
Yesterday Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross spent the afternoon volunteering in the shop sorting donations as part of Universal Children’s Day.
He said: “It’s great to see so many people handing items in. Most of us are very lucky to have presents on Christmas and it’s depressing to think there are still children out there who do not get anything.
“The work that Barnardo’s does in Moray and across Scotland is extremely important to ensure a happy festive season for them.”
