​Wealthy family focus their giving on Glasgow this Christmas

A millionaire family is giving Scots charities an early Christmas present – to the tune of £100,000.

Each year the millionaire family behind the Pears Foundation make a series of surprise festive donations based on one theme - such as homelessness or old age.

This year, the brothers Trevor (below), Mark and David Pears have chosen to focus on Glasgow as it was the birthplace of their late mother, Clarice Talisman Pears.

They are now sending out cheques of between £5,000 and £10,000 to 16 charities operating in the city, totalling more than £100,000, which should arrive in the post within the next couple of days.

They said: "She was born and raised at the family home in Lochside Street, Shawlands by her parents Abraham – an electrical/wireless appliance dealer - and Hannah Castle.

“She came to London for work in her early twenties and met our father. Unfortunately she passed away some 15 years ago so we cannot ask for her personal abiding memories of the city.

“However, we vividly recall one of her favourite expressions being, ‘Do you think I came up the Clyde on a bicycle?’.

“We are very proud of our Scottish roots and have a deep affection for Scotland. We are delighted to be supporting some terrific people and organisations in Glasgow.”

The family fortune is based on property, mainly in the London and south of England, which is reputed to be worth around £6billion.

In 1992 the Pears established their charitable foundation rooted in Jewish family values and have since given millions of pounds to good causes in the UK and around the world.

It is thought they donate about £6million per annum to international development, genocide prevention, communities and young people.

The Glasgow donations were described as "one-off discretionary grants that are intended to provide a seasonal boost to some of the many frontline, community based charities that face extra demand at this time of year".