Advertiser launches annual Toy Appeal for Xmas 2023

The teams at Allanwater Homes, Little Stars Nursery, Tillicoultry Quarries and Sterling Mills have kindly stepped up to support this year’s appeal.

The appeal comes at a time that is more difficult  than ever with the cost of living crisis stretching thin budgets ever further. The toys donated could mean the difference between a child getting a gift this Christmas or going without.

Advertiser editor Kevin McRoberts said: "The Advertiser is at the heart of the Clackmannanshire 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 that we have seen in Clackmannan- shire throughout and since the pandemic, they will help those who might otherwise miss out.”

We are also asking  readers to consider donating food alongside a toy, if they can. Currently, the foodbank is in need of tinned foods including meat, fish, potatoes, vegetables, long life milk, coffee and tea, sugar, tinned fruit, tinned soup, tinned beans, rice pudding, custard packets, jam, cereal, and long life or diluting juice. Other essentials such as washing up liquid, toiletries and pet food are also welcome.

Kind hearted local businesses are giving their support to the Alloa Advertiser Christmas Toy Appeal and they’re hoping readers of the newspaper will join them in making sure no child goes without a gift this Christmas.

Little Stars Nursery

Little Stars Nursery has been caring for Alloa’s children for nearly 25 years, initially from the small nursery in Bedford Place and more recently at the purpose-built open plan nursery at The Pleasures near St John’s Primary School.

This local business now has nurseries in Stirling, Falkirk, Glasgow and Hillington, employing 100 staff and serving more than 500 families. A spokesperson said: "When we were offered the chance to support this year’s toy appeal we jumped at the chance as it means that all our families can get behind the campaign to ensure EVERY child in Clackmannanshire will get a present at Christmas this year.

"Some of our children went to the Gate foodbank for the photo shoot and came back to the nursery to tell all their friends about the toy appeal and how ‘we should all help poor children have a present this Christmas. Little Stars Nursery is delighted to support this year’s toy appeal campaign in conjunction with the Alloa Advertiser and I am sure all our Little Stars will be cajoling their parents and grandparents to get involved. Merry Christmas from everyone at Little Stars Nursery."

Allanwater Homes

Lynn, Sales Manager for Allanwater Homes said: "With a proud track record providing quality new housing through our Oaktree Gardens development in Alloa for many years, Allanwater Homes is delighted to lend its support to the Alloa Advertiser Christmas Toy Appeal.

"We have been involved in sponsorship of many local organisations over the past few years, including several local football teams. We wish the appeal all the very best and hope that a great many toys can be donated for disadvantaged children in the area.

"We continue to have a presence across the Central Scotland area through our current developments in Stirling and Cambusbarron, where we are building energy efficient apartments and luxury terraced houses, providing buyers at every level of the market with a high quality, lower carbon footprint home which will save them money on heating costs."

Tillicoultry Quarries

Wallace Menzies, director at Tillicoultry Quarries, said: “Tillicoultry Quarries are delighted to support the local toy appeal alongside other local businesses.

"As a family business supporting our local communities, particularly during these difficult times and cost of living crisis, is very important to us.

"We hope that this partnership with the Alloa Advertiser will help encourage donations to the toy appeal to help ensure every child receives a gift this Christmas."

Sterling Mills outlet shopping centre

Ashleigh Durkin, the marketing manager at the Sterling Mills outlet shopping centre, said it was important to back the Alloa Advertiser Christmas Toy Appeal.

She said: "We pride ourselves on providing free family entertainment to community all year round and we feel it’s important to carry on our support to local initiatives that support families when they need it most.

"It’s not easy times for people at the moment and it’s easy for us to help in a small way by using our platform to bring awareness to such an important cause. It breaks my heart to think of any child going without even one toy to open on Christmas morning, families are under such pressure at the moment and it’s time for com- munities to pull together to make sure no child is forgotten."

She added that the shopping centre will also be spreading some festive cheer with Santa’s Grotto at Sterling Mills at the weekends in December. It’s a free event and every child will receive a gift.