Help us make it a merry Christmas for youngsters

The popular Monklands Christmas Toy Appeal is back for another festive season -and organisers hope to collect”500-plus” items.

- IAN BUNTING

Once again, generous Advertiser readers are asked to help make it a merry Christmas for youngsters across the area.

Donation points have already been set up at Airdrie supermarkets Morrisons and Tesco and at Asda in Coatbridge, ready for welcome gifts to be distributed to local children and young people aged from birth to 18.

The community appeal is now in its 13th year, and an incredible 14,500 gifts have been donated to date and distributed through volunteer groups to families in need in time for Christmas morning.

Toy appeal coordinator Norbert Grant said: "Once again we are delighted to assist with this year’s Monklands Toy Appeal, now in its 12th year, working along Asda Coatbridge, Morrisons Airdrie and Tesco Airdrie.

"This is a partnership that has seen thousands of toys donated by generous shoppers of the stores.