Operation Christmas is full steam ahead in Moray town
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OPERATION Christmas is in full swing in one Moray town where organisers of a festive appeal admit they have been "humbled" by the response.
The people of Lossiemouth have rallied to the support of others in the community who were facing a tough time due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 500 packages brimming full of festive cheer began winging their way to local homes yesterday.
From their base at the United Free Church, four local organisations are ensuring the generosity of people in the town - population just 6800 - will light up Christmas.
The community council, 2-3 group, development association and the business association came together to mobilise a Christmas appeal.
Neil Cameron, chairman of the Lossie 2-3 Group trustees, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the response; it has been humbling really.
"It has been a rubbish year in many ways and people wanted to do something for Christmas, but weren't sure how we were going to do it with all the Covid restrictions.
"We launched the Christmas appeal last month and the response from the town has been overwhelming."
The 2-3 group has been at the heart of the Covid response in the community, supported by the community council.
And the Christmas effort is an extension of that good work, backed by a huge amount of donations from the public and local businesses.
The Baptist Church has been the Covid community base since March, however, there were so many festive donations that the United Free Church has been utilised as "Christmas HQ", said Mr Cameron.
The festive effort started yesterday with 100 small hampers and gifts being delivered by local volunteers.
That will be followed up with 120 larger hampers and boxes of fruit and veg, followed by more than 60 Christmas meals and a gift bag on Christmas Eve. Around 40 volunteers answered a call to distribute the packages.
More than 150 children's Christmas presents have already been delivered to families.
Referrals have come in from schools, social work, Moray Youth Action and the 2-3 group.
Add to that an annual Christmas tea run this Saturday to around 200 people, organised by Daphne Thomas, and Mr Cameron said those in need in Lossiemouth will be supported.
"It is wonderful that people can be so kind," he added.
A small but dedicated team has coordinated the Christmas appeal - with Carolle Ralph, Louise McBride, Kirsty Middleton and Gina McNicoll - key members along with Mr Cameron and others.
Mr Cameron said the response on the doorstep to the deliveries of children's Christmas presents had been very emotional in many cases.
He praised the community spirit shown in Lossiemouth, during the last nine months of the Covid pandemic and now for Christmas.
Carolle Ralph of the community council added: "We couldnt have done any of this without your generosity - the people of Lossiemouth. So to anyone who has donated anything at all it has been so kind. You have done yourself very proud Lossiemouth."
Also happening on Sunday in the town is the Stagecoach Santa Sleigh - featuring Santa, Mrs Claus and elves and reindeer for children under 12, with each child receiving a small gift. The bus will stop at various locations, including the Station Park, community centre and Moray Coast doctors surgery. For a ticket for this free event email liza-marie.hill@stagecoachbus.com
