As part of the Hamilton Advertiser's annual Christmas Toy Collection, we collect and distribute literally thousands of toys for needy or disadvantaged children.

Hamilton Advertiser article on the 2014 appeal:-

Thanks to your support, we collected 6800 donations for needy children in Hamilton, Blantyre, Uddingston, Bothwell, Larkhall, Clydesdale and beyond — making this the biggest and best appeal yet!

Disadvantaged children across South Lanarkshire will wake up with huge smiles on Christmas Day — thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our readers.

Once again the Hamilton Advertiser’s festive toy appeal ended on a high note, having broken all previous records.

Thanks to your support, we collected 6800 donations for needy children in Hamilton, Blantyre, Uddingston, Bothwell, Larkhall, Clydesdale and beyond — making this the biggest and best appeal yet!

The figure has surpassed last year’s total gifts by more than 1200, meaning we have been able to help over 2000 children.

Advertiser editor Robert Mitchell said: “We are overwhelmed by the response to this year’s appeal.

“Every year, we cannot believe the amount of toys and goodies that are donated and it just keeps getting bigger and better.

“It is thanks to you, our readers, that disadvantaged children in our communities will now wake up to a pile of presents on Christmas morning.

“Well done everyone, and Merry Christmas to you all.”

This year, we received so many donations that we were also able to deliver sacks of new toys to Women’s Aid in Hamilton, Shelter South Lanarkshire, Wishaw General Hospital, Yorkhill Hospital and the Hamilton-based charity Blameless, who work with children whose lives have been affected by drug or alcohol addiction.

With all this in mind we must thank all of the individuals who have supported our appeal this year — whether it be with toy donations, batteries, gift wrap or cash.

Special thanks must also go to St John’s Church, Cadzow Parish Church, Hamilton District Foodbank, Hamilton Grammar School, Sainsbury’s Hamilton, Asda Blantyre, Asda Hamilton, both Iceland stores in Hamilton, Larkhall Co-op, Blantyre Old Parish Church, Chalmers Church in Larkhall, Tunnock’s Uddingston, Semi-Chem Larkhall, Larkhall Coalyard, Galloway and MacLeod of Larkhall, Santander Hamilton, Woodlands Nursery Centre in Hamilton, Birkenshaw Women’s Guild, Mecca Bingo in Hamilton, SEPA Eurocentral, Families Like Us, Happy Feet Nursery, Ferring Controlled Therapeutics in East Kilbride and Morrison Utility in Righead Industrial Estate.

The children who receive toys are referred by South Lanarkshire Council’s Social Work Services and thanks go to the team there.

Most of the presents are wrapped by the volunteers at Larkhall and District Volunteer Group and we would like to praise the efforts of Janice Inglis, Paige Easton, Anne Alston and Peter Corr.

And another big thank-you goes to the staff at Hamilton Furniture Initiative for their tireless work in collecting, wrapping and distributing the gifts.

Paige Easton of Larkhall and District Volunteer Group said: “We have had an extremely successful year, our most successful in the past four years. We would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who kindly donated.

“Massive thanks go to all of our volunteers and the people who came in off the street to help sort, tag and wrap.

“Over 6000 presents were wrapped and delivered to families experiencing financial difficulties this Christmas.”