Christmas Toy and Food Appeal

WITH Christmas just over eight weeks away, the time is almost here to launch the 2019 Christmas Toy and Food Appeal.

The annual event will officially get under way next Friday, November 1, and this year the Moray and Grampian group of newspapers – The Northern Scot, Banffshire Herald, Forres Gazette, Banffshire Advertiser, Banffshire Journal and Huntly Express – have a new appeal partner.

The St Giles Centre in Elgin has hosted a popular Giving Tree for a number of years and this will be incorporated as part of the Christmas appeal.

For more than 30 years the toy and food appeal has provided much-needed festive cheer for young children, teenagers and older people.

Many people will not have much at Christmas and it can be a lonely time, so getting presents donated from readers of our newspapers and now St Giles Centre shoppers could be just the tonic.

The appeal is run in association with Moray Council’s social work department who identify those individuals and families most in need at this time of year.

There will be collection points across Moray, so look out in next week’s paper for details of how you can donate items or cash and one of the first big donations.

Joe Millican, joint content editor for Moray and Grampian Group, said: “Christmas is a happy time of year but some people need a little extra kindness to help them through a difficult period.

“By buying one extra gift when you are doing your festive shopping, you could make a massive difference to someone’s life.

“Please give as generously as you can and every donation, whether gifts or money, will ensure a brighter Christmas for hundreds of individuals and families.”

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