A famous north-east shop is urging local people to help collect more than £25,000 worth of gifts to ensure all children in the area can enjoy Christmas.
The Spotty Bag Shop in Banff is supporting the Give Tree Project which will distribute food and toys to deserving children in Banffshire over the next few weeks.
Last year, more than £25,000 worth of gifts and food were donated and store owner Des Cheyne said: “Year in, year out our customers respond to the needs of local children and I would ask them to help out again if they can. Their generosity really can make a child’s Christmas.”
Mr Cheyne’s business has already donated £1,000 worth of goodies.
Giving Trees with tags are at the Banff shop for the next fortnight and members of the public are asked to choose a tag and buy one extra gift while doing their Christmas shopping.
The gifts – a mixture of toys, books, clothing and toiletries will be handed over to vulnerable children of all ages.
Mr Cheyne added: “The festive period is a time for giving and our customers have shown in the past that they have the Christmas spirit in abundance.
“I’m hopeful they will be just as generous this year. It really does make it a magical time for these extremely deserving children.”
The Spotty Bag Shop is working with Home-Start Deveron to coordinate the initiative as well as Care United 2, Banff and Buchan Community Planning and other education and social work staff.
Lorna Yuill, coordinator Home-Start Deveron, said: “Many people need a little extra support and help at Christmas and the unique partnership of agencies who work closely with families has been created to bring some festive cheer to those in our community who find themselves most in need at this time of year.”