Still time to put forward a Christmas gift to support those in need

This Christmas, council employees across Aberdeenshire are being given the opportunity to support local charity and community efforts by taking part in appeals to contribute gifts and/or donations to those in need.

Cornerstone provides services such as day activities, living support, respite placements and employment and training to children and adults with learning disabilities across Scotland. Their Giving Tree appeal will be running at Woodhill House; Alford Library; Viewmount, Carlton House and Allardice Street offices in Stonehaven; Gordon House, Inverurie; and at Service Points in Ellon, Turriff and Huntly.

At these locations you will be able to select a tag from reception which you can attach to your unwrapped gift, explaining what it is, what age it’s appropriate for and its approximate value. Don’t worry if you need inspiration; there are plenty of present ideas on the Wish List, which can be found on the Gift Tree posters at the above locations.

Presents will then be collected and distributed to the people of all ages Cornerstone supports to help make their Christmas special. Please submit your gifts at the earliest opportunity and by Friday 12 December in Turriff, Monday 15 December in Alford and Tuesday 16 December at all other offices with the exception of Woodhill House where presents will be collected on December 18.

In Banff and Buchan, and Buchan, there are similar but individual Gift Tree projects running this Christmas, which are more localised and focus on supporting community planning projects.

In addition to donating gifts, these local Gift Trees also provide the opportunity to contribute non-perishable food items which will make up food hampers. Many local families need a little extra support at Christmas time and these Gift Trees aim to bring some festive cheer to those who find themselves in need at this time of year. The closing date for donating gifts and food for this appeal is December 17.

The Fraserburgh appeal is managed via the Here for You project as part of the social regeneration of Fraserburgh. Gift Trees can be found at: NHS Grampian Health Point, Maitland’s, Fraserburgh Development Trust, the Sports and Leisure Centre, Café Connect, Tesco (gifts only, no food!), Clydesdale Bank PLC, TOTAL E&P, Fraserburgh Academy, Little Shoe Boutique, JIC Link Up Building, Gray and Adams, Aberdeenshire Council Environmental Health Department, Boots, ASDA, North East Scotland College, Fraserburgh Hospital and Scotland’s Larder.

In Banff, the lead partner in the appeal is Homestart. The Gift Tree can be found at The Spotty Bag Shop, 13 Old Market Place, Banff and presents must be returned here, unwrapped with the gift tag attached. Food donations can be dropped off at the Harvest Centre, Castle Street, Banff.

In Buchan, Gift Trees will be popping up at numerous locations across the area including: Morrisons in Peterhead, ASDA in Peterhead, Peterhead Community Centre, Peterhead Library, The Hotspot, The Happy Plant Garden at Mintlaw, Maud Resource Centre, Peterhead Salvation Army, Old Parish Church, Apex Centre, the Congregational Church and Shell UK at St Fergus.

Please donate generously this Christmas and help bring festive spirit and heart-warming cheer to those in need. For more information, please email Laurabelle.Williams@aberdeenshire.gov.uk