Lossie launches Covid-19 Christmas appeal

A LOSSIE Covid festive appeal has been launched to ensure no-one feels alone at Christmas.

The town's community council has joined forces with a number of local organisations, groups and individuals to provide some extra seasonal cheer for those impacted by the pandemic.

The community council, along with others, has been working since the lockdown in March to support people in the ciommunity.

A spokeswoman said: "As we approach Christmas, we know it is a particularly difficult time for all sorts of reasons, more so this year as people have lost their jobs, are separated from their loved ones and are likely to be alone in an uncertain time. We also know that people are missing the usual outings and parties with their friends.

"We want to make sure every single person in our community does not feel alone at Christmas."

The community council wants to provide:

• Afternoon tea boxes for older people who are on their own.
• Shoe boxes of treats for people who are isolated as a wee cheery hello.
• The Santa bus for the wee ones which will visit Lossie on Sunday, December 20.
• Christmas meals to be delivered just before Christmas for those who live alone and may be unable to cook or who are caring for someone who is unwell and have no family support locally.
• A giving tree for children and young people so we can help families provide a wee gift on Christmas day if money is tight this year.
• Hampers for families who may be struggling this year with some wee treats.
• There are ways in which you can support us in our efforts to bring Christmas cheer into the lives of all our community.

You can help the appeal in a number of ways:

• Get involved as a volunteer.
• Sponsor a Christmas meal for £10 or afternoon tea for £5.
• Provide non perishable items for hampers, eg sweeties, tins of soup, ham, chutneys, nuts, cakes, snacks, etc. Items can be dropped off at Unique or Ian Watt's garage.
• Make up a hamper yourself.
• Collect an envelope for the giving tree or wrap a present or voucher for a young person or child with a label indicating age and sex.

"We know this is an ambitious plan but we are confident that with support we can deliver to make Christmas a bit cheerier despite covid."

If you would like to contribute to the appeal, the bank details are: Lossiemouth Community Council; sort code 800891; account 00504756.

The community council also hopes to set up a PayPal account and there will be collection tins in the town.

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