Army help deliver toys to needy kids for Christmas

Dec 22 2011 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

soldiers

KIND-hearted Army volunteers were in town last week making sure needy children in West Lothian receive presents this Christmas.

Members of the recruiting teams from the Regiment of Scotland and the Scots Guards took to the streets of the county last week to make sure the West Lothian Toy Appeal was a success.

The Toy Appeal collects good quality, used toys donated by the people of West Lothian, along with money and playthings for children from churches, schools and businesses.

This year, after receiving referrals from health visitors, homeless units and social workers, children’s charity River Kids organised the buying, packing and delivering of gifts to well over 1200 kids — well up on last year’s figure.

Staff from Quintiles and West Lothian Council along with River Kids charity co-ordinator Wendy Simpson, helped collect toys and sort them into age-appropriate groupings and then members of the Army helped deliver the toys.

Wendy praised the hard work of all the volunteers.

She said: “The Army have achieved a fantastic job with the deliveries. The deliveries went really smoothly and they managed to deliver around 1200 packages.

“The Army have helped us out for quite a few years now and the effort they put in is absolutely amazing.

“They always go above and beyond the call of duty and we really appreciate all their help.

“We’ve had a fantastic response to the appeal and we really appreciate the support we have had.

“I’d like to thank the West Lothian Courier, HMRC in Livingston, West Lothian College, Sky, Jabil, Dobbies, WL Gore, Springfield Properties, Shinetsu, Lloyds Banking Group and all the primary schools in West Lothian and everyone who cleared their attic and donated toys for the appeal.

“I’d also like to thank all the volunteers who have helped out River Kids throughout the past year and all those who have worked so hard in the past three months with the toy appeal.”