THIS is the final call for donations to our Clydebank Cares food and toy appeal.

For the last month the Post has been calling on kind-hearted locals to support our campaign to ensure families living on the bread-line are able to enjoy their Christmas Day as much as possible.

The cost-of-living crisis has put immense financial pressure on families and Christmas can already be a stressful time of year.

That is why, the Post and sponsors Smyths Toys Clydebank Kilbowie, with support from Clyde Shopping Centre, launched the campaign Clydebank Cares.

Two nominated local charities West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare and Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels will benefit from all donations received.

Clair Coyle, manager at WDCF, explained that the charity has seen a year-on-year increase in the number of people requiring its support.

In the lead-up to Christmas, demand is expected to increase..

Clair added: “The demand for our food parcel service does jump significantly in the couple of weeks leading up to Christmas.

“Our toy bank is so busy. We actually start the toy bank in October because that’s how busy it gets. Last year we provided 1,334 children with toy parcels.

“Our criteria is quite tight. We advertise that we will support children who would otherwise wake up on Christmas morning with nothing, so it’s families who are in desperate need.

“This year, similar to food, we’ve seen a big rise in families who are working getting in touch with us. Many of them have just missed the threshold to qualify for free school meals and uniform grants and they are really struggling.

“This is significant for us because usually, it’s people who are working that donate to us and what we’re finding is it’s possibly families who have donated to us in the past who are now seeking help.”

Meanwhile, Maureen Cummings, the founder of Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels, said 2022 has been her toughest year yet, with the number of people heading to the hub for help rising each month.

Maureen said: “I can’t remember in the two years I’ve done this, to have been asked by working families for assistance of non-food items."

Our campaign officially closes on December 15 when the Post team will transport all the donations directly to both charities.

Gillian Murphy, managing editor of the Clydebank Post, said: “So far the response has been really positive and we are grateful for every food item donated and toy gifted.

“Every thoughtful Bankie who has taken part will genuinely have made a difference to an individual, family or child this Christmas.

“We are asking locals to give one last push to give what they can and donate to a family in need.”

Those who are able to donate non-perishable food items or any new toys for a child of any age can do so by dropping items off at the information desk in the Clyde Shopping Centre (Monday to Friday between 10am – 5pm). There is also a donation bucket located at the store entrance at Smyths Toys Clydebank Kilbowie during opening hours.