Without a fast response, many children in need could go without a present this Christmas

Cash For Kids is urgently appealing to communities in Scotland to ensure that thousands of children don’t go without a single Christmas gift this year.  

A sharp rise in demand and a reduction in donations has left the charity seriously short of gifts this year and 40,000 gifts are still needed to ensure over 13,000 kids in central Scotland don’t receive an empty stocking this Christmas. 

Organisers say the number of families asking for help has increased dramatically and stocks of toys, gifts and vouchers are running low. Its empty warehouse can be seen in the picture above.

Without a fast response, many children in need could go without a present this Christmas.

Victoria Hendry, senior fundraiser for Cash For Kids for Edinburgh, The Lothians, Fife and Falkirk, said: “In my eight years of working on the Mission For Christmas campaign, I’ve never seen anything like this. Families are facing soaring household costs this year and more parents are turning to us for help this Christmas. We urgently need donations of money, toys and vouchers so we can make sure every child receives something special on Christmas morning.”

Cash For Kids is asking people throughout Scotland to give what they can - whether that’s a small cash donation, a gift, or a gift voucher. Every contribution will go directly to children and families in the local area.

Victoria added: “We are doing everything we can to help the young people in our community, but we simply cannot do it alone. If everyone who can spare something donates just one gift or a small amount of money, we will be able to put smiles on the faces of hundreds of children this Christmas.”

How you can help: Donate money: a cash gift allows the charity to buy the items families most need. Visit the Cash For Kids website.

Donate a new, unwrapped gift: Suitable for ages 0 - 18 - think toys, books, games, warm hats/gloves, toiletries and gift vouchers for older teens. Please do not donate used toys, medication, aerosols or perishable food.

Drop-off points: We are working with local shops, such as B&M, as collection points. Visit the Cash For Kids website or call the local team for your nearest drop-off location.

To ensure gifts reach families in time, please donate as soon as possible and no later than Friday, 20 December.