Ayrshire charity's little red bag pledge to save Christmas for most vulnerable

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An Ayrshire charity have made a pledge to save Christmas amidst a cost of living crisis.The Night Before Christmas Campaign is ramping up their drive to spread festive joy and ensure no one is left without presents under their tree.The charity which is based at Annbank Community Centre are on the final stretch to complete their huge task to deliver 10,000 red bags of joy.

And charity boss Jodie McFarlane insists that this year spreading festive joy has never been more important as soaring energy bills leaves vulnerable families on the brink.Jodie told Ayrshire Live: “We are on a mission this year to give out 10,000 red bags of joy.“Christmas is probably going to be a horrible time for loads of people this year.

Our referrals have soared.“It’s not just organisations who are reaching out. We are noticing that working families are coming to us for help.

People who would never struggled before are now struggling. “They are having to make a choice between buying presents or heating their homes.”Amongst those prioritised are vulnerable adults, with Jodie keen to hammer home the importance of mental health awareness this year.That vital message has even reached prisoners, with inmates in Kilmarnock’s HMP Boathouse and Glasgow’s Barlinnie being given the opportunity to hand out gifts to their children.Jodie said: “That magic of Christmas can be there for everyone.