THE Press has joined forces with West Fife charity SHIELD again to help deliver a merry Christmas to families who may have been forced to go without this year. With the help of kind local businesses Scrap A Car Scotland, Morgans, CR Smith and Stagecoach, we are hoping our big-hearted readers will back our Christmas Toy Appeal which aims to deliver festive joy in the West Fife community.

Last year, our readers didn’t disappoint and came up with the goods with an overwhelming response to make sure that hundreds of young kids in Dunfermline and West Fife, who might otherwise have gone without, woke up on Christmas Day with a gift. The drive meant that SHIELD were able to deliver a present to everyone on their list but also support other agencies, such as Fife Council’s social work department, who needed to help vulnerable families. The focus on this year’s appeal by SHIELD is to bring back the “true spirit” of Christmas.

The organisation’s founder, Sarah Keeble, explained: “We are trying to get people into the mindset of enjoying Christmas together so we are asking for gifts that maybe siblings can gift and that can just get back to what Christmas is all about. “Last year was a massive success, especially with the Press involved, but we didn’t want this year to be a carbon copy of another Christmas appeal. “We have tried to make it more for siblings, care-givers and OAPS.

Dunfermline Press:

We are putting together OAPs hampers together. We are trying to lead by example and stop parents putting pressure on themselves. “It could be a simple thing like a child has got a really good bond with a teacher and their parents don’t have the money to buy them a present and it is nice to say we can help with that and to be able to give a child a gift to give. “Some children are not living together and it is nice to be able to say we have a gift you can give to your sibling. “We have a list of people we have been supporting throughout the year who need a bit extra support and help.

The first priority will come to those individuals we have been looking after or who are on the radar of other organisations who may not have the facility to provide gifts. “We have a close relationship with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and they know a lot of people who would benefit and we also work with social work.”

Christmas doesn’t have to cost the earth so, instead of including a bag for your toy donations in the paper as we did last year, we’ll be giving you an environmentally-friendly way to use the Press to wrap your donations in our edition on December 16. Press editor Simon Harris said: “The Press is at the heart of the West Fife community we are privileged to serve and we want to help those in our communities who may have fallen on hard times at this special time of year.

“Last year, we were blown away by the generosity of our readers and I know that, with the community spirit we have seen in West Fife right from the start of the pandemic, they will help thouse who might otherwise miss out.” Generous West Fife businesses have stepped in to offer their support for this year’s Press appeal and get involved to help West Fife families.

Dunfermline Press:

Lindsay Craft, managing director of Scrap A Car Scotland, was only too happy to help. “It is a shame that kids are getting Christmas without a present and my heart goes out to them. Some people are not as fortunate as ourselves for one reason or another and I think the appeal is great. I think everybody should do stuff for charity and give something back to the community. “I have got us involved with Sarah from SHIELD and we are also going to sponsor their cafe, which is going to be a long-term initiative.”

Dunfermline Press:

Claire Morgan, managing partner at Morgans Solicitors added: “Each year, Morgans play an active role in supporting charities in our local area. For several years, we’ve been involved in Christmas toy appeals as a local drop-off centre, with our own staff also donating hampers and raising funds for chosen charities close to our hearts. “We are proud to sponsor the Dunfermline Press Toy Appeal and delighted that West Fife children will benefit from this initiative.”

Dunfermline Press:

A Stagecoach East Scotland spokesperson said: “Our local communities are at the heart of everything we do, so we’re delighted to sponsor the Dunfermline Press Toy Appeal, which will bring Christmas magic to children across West Fife. “This time of year can be really tough for families. Together, we can make sure no child goes without a toy this Christmas.”

Dunfermline Press:

Kevin Eadie, CR Smith’s director of operations, said: “CR Smith are delighted to be involved with the Dunfermline Press Toy Appeal to make it a better Christmas for Fife kids after what has been a very challenging year for many families,” he added. 

Anyone wanting to donate gifts can do so by dropping them off at SHIELD’s new community cafe premises – which opens today (Thursday) – in Rosyth Co-op between 7am and 5.30pm or leave them with the team at their Sunday Surplus market at Asda Halbeath car park from 2pm.