A BIG-HEARTED Parkhall student has made it her mission to spread festive cheer to Clydebank families going through a difficult time this Christmas.

Megan McPhail has launched a fundraising drive urging Bankies to donate Christmas gifts to women and children in the care of Women’s Aid.

The 25-year-old mental health nursing student has set up two drop off points and is carrying out a collection service to make sure Santa doesn’t miss a single child this Christmas.

Megan told the Post: “I wanted to do some charity work this Christmas and I’m a mental health nursing student so I thought [working with Woman’s Aid] fits quite well.

“I contacted them and they were really happy.

“I want to make sure I can give them as much as I can to give them a great Christmas.

“I was thinking about the kids and I couldn’t imagine kids waking up without presents and I know the families there are in difficult circumstances so maybe can’t buy Christmas presents.”

Megan has already set up a drive at Glasgow Caledonian University, The Twisted Thistle in Old Kilpatrick and Shampooch Dog Grooming, in Drumchapel, for gifts to be dropped off.

The charity is in urgent need of pyjamas, slippers – both child and adult sizes – hats, scarves, gloves, unopened toiletry gift sets, chocolate, sweets, selection boxes and non-gender specific toys.

Families are also keen to receive gift vouchers, be it for the cinema, clothing stores, toy stores or the supermarket.

However, the charity’s one request is thoughtful donors don’t wrap the presents, giving mums-in-need a chance to prepare presents for their own children.

Megan said: “I’ve had some good feedback so far. I go to a local fitness class and some people there have already given me presents as well as in my dance class so it has been good.

“Put yourself in their shoes. They’ve had really difficult circumstances and at Christmas we want everyone to be happy and have nice things.

“You would like the community to help if it was you in this situation, so please help do what you can.”

To donate, visit one of Megan’s drop off point in Old Kilpatrick or Drumchapel or contact Megan directly to have a gift picked up via mmcpha202@caledonian.ac.uk. All donations must be made by December 15.