A WEST End baby bank has vowed to step up for families struggling over Christmas by joining forces with the Glasgow Times Bank on Us toy appeal.

Birth, Baby and Beyond will act as a drop off point for those looking to donate toys for families in need of help ahead of December 25.

Natasha Earle, who has run the group since 2012, has spent almost a decade helping provide essential baby items, such as infant food, sleeping equipment and clothing, to those facing financial difficulty.

As well as helping provide gifts for deprived children, the charity is also partnering with a Pollok-based play centre Fun Street in a bid to offer fun family days out to give struggling parents a chance to treat little ones before Santa’s arrival.

Natasha said: “We are so pleased to be working alongside Fun Street to better support families living in poverty.

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“Most families living in poverty would be unable to have days out at such a wonderful children’s centre and will greatly benefit from free sessions and days out. Poverty often goes hand in hand with isolation.

“Giving children the opportunity to play with other children will have huge benefits on their mental health, development and promotes physical exercise at the same time.”

Tomorrow recyclable paper bags will be included with every copy of the Glasgow Times which can be filled with new toys and dropped off to the charity’s Netherton Road headquarters until December 18.

Cash pledges can also be made to the Glasgow Times GoFundMe page for those who would rather avoid the shops over the festive period.

Meanwhile, Fun Street will host its Christmas fun charity day on Wednesday, December 15.

Families living in poverty can attend the venue, which is based within Silverburn Shopping Centre, with the little ones during the day.

Parents with school-aged children can visit from 3pm to 6pm.

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It comes after Birth, Baby and Beyond helped host a winter wonderland event with Fun Street and other local businesses to offer help with the run-up to the big day.

A spokesperson for the centre said: “Fun Street is honoured to be partnering up with Birth Baby and Beyond.

“As a new business to the area, we want to give children a chance to play in a fun environment without the burden of their worries and escape from their hardships albeit temporarily.

“They can experience carefree play and improve their emotional well-being.

“We believe our collaboration with this charity will empower the kids so they feel an important part of our community.”

Natasha and her team will be accepting donations from kind-hearted Glasgow Times readers from tomorrow.

Gifts can be dropped off at unit 28E Netherton Road in Anniesland between the hours of 11am and 2pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Those presents will then be delivered to struggling parents in time for Christmas day, to ensure no child wakes up without a present under the tree.