A BANKIE in charge of “delivery joy" as part of a local store's Christmas appeal has praised the people of Clydebank for the generosity they show every year.

Suzie Hutchison - who says she is ‘incredibly passionate’ about helping people - is running this year’s Dunelm Delivering Joy appeal in its Clydebank store, a campaign designed to help those in the community - who might otherwise go without this festive season - experience some happiness through a donated gift.

Dunelm outlets throughout the country set up a Christmas tree with tags on them, and customers are encouraged to pop in and take a tag that details a gift that someone is hoping for.

They are then asked to purchase the gift whilst doing their Christmas shopping and return it to the team at Dunelm by December 11 so they can pass it on to those that need it.

This is the third year the homeware retailer has run the scheme, and Suzie explained that her store in the Clyde Shopping Centre has received and distributed the most gives over the previous two years.

Last year they helped 457 individuals across a range of schools, nurseries, food banks, woman’s aid and a care home, all within West Dunbartonshire.

And, speaking to the Post, Suzie is confident that the generosity of Clydebank folk will shine through once again and even smash last years numbers.

She said: “The campaign is really important to myself and the girls who help me run it, with three of them having left the company but still coming in to help with this.

“Drop off day for distributing the gifts is one of our favourite days of the year seeing how amazing a community coming together can do - makes me proud to be a Bankie.”

Currently, there are over 100 tags on the tree waiting for people to get involved and ensure nobody goes without a gift this Christmas.

In 2020 the Clydebank team was recognised in the House of Commons when Clydebank MP Martin Docherty-Hughes praised the staff for their hard work and ‘tireless’ effort in going above and beyond when delivering the project.