Hamilton Advertiser Toy Appeal has been best yet

Jan 14 2010 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

THIS year’s Hamilton Advertiser Christmas appeal was the best ever.

On Christmas Day, about 400 needy children had presents to open thanks to the generosity of our readership.

In the weeks running up to December 25, hundreds of good quality toys were donated by readers to the annual appeal.

They were collected from our office, checked and sorted then wrapped by our appeal partners, Hamilton Volunteer Group, who distributed the gifts to kids in Hamilton, Blantyre, Larkhall, Stonehouse, Uddingston and Bothwell.

Volunteer Group president Gordon Young thanked the paper and readers for once again backing the appeal, and added: “The overwhelming response to the appeal was undoubtedly the most successful to date and this was only possible through the generosity shown by the people of South Lanarkshire through all their donations and the kind assistance of the Advertiser.

“Churches, schools and nurseries were among the groups who contributed to the appeal, and in some cases they were able to deliver donations to the centre.

“This year more children than ever benefited from the goodwill of all those who donated their time, gifts and cash to this worthy cause.”

The appeal has been running for 30 years and 95 per cent of children who benefited this Christmas were referred to the volunteer group by social services.

Mr Young added: “Although the appeal is well-publicised, there are still people out there who don’t know about it.

“In fact, even some of the recipients are unaware of the appeal.

“Our job this year is to make sure even more people know about the appeal and make it even more successful in future.”

Meanwhile, the hard-working group, who run Hamilton Volunteer Resource Centre in Argyle Drive, should know within the next few weeks whether the facility’s future is secure.

Cash-strapped South Lanarkshire Council are currently considering withdrawing the centre’s £72,000 funding.

Mr Young said 2000 supporters of the centre had now written to their councillors urging them not to axe the grant.

The Burnbank Centre has been providing community services for 33 years and between 400 and 500 people regularly use its facilities.