A MAJOR drive to bring Christmas comfort to hard-up families in Dumbarton and the Vale is moving up a gear.

Kind-hearted residents are rallying round to support Christmas appeals launched by West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare.

Five weeks before the big day, trustees and volunteers at the charity are already busy at work with the Toybank project which aims to ensure that all children will have a gift from Santa to open on Christmas morning.

In addition, this year the charity has applied to Cash for Kids for funding to provide a Christmas Day hamper for families.

Clair Coyle, a trustee with the charity, told the Reporter they were no longer able to run the Toybank and food provision from the same premises due to the scale of donations received.

She thanked West Dunbartonshire Council and local councillors for their support in securing additional premises for the charity to use over the festive period.

Clair added: “We have had a great response from contacting schools, organisations and businesses who supported our Toybank last year and have pledged to do so again this year.

“We have started receiving orders for this year’s Toybank, over 100 at the moment, and are receiving more orders daily.

“We do anticipate final numbers to be well beyond last year’s figure of 548.”

Clair said each year the charity had a shortage of gifts for older children aged 10 to 17, and suggested gift vouchers as a good option for this age group.

The charity hopes that Cash for Kids funding will provide 200 local families with breakfast items and a three course Christmas dinner.

Clair added: “Without the hard work and dedication of our team, none of this would be possible. The board of trustees would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.”

The main drop off points are: Clydebank Citizens Advice Bureau, 63 Kilbowie Rd (Tue/Thu/Fri 9.30am-3pm); Dumbarton Citizens Advice Bureau, 179 High Street (Tue-Fri 9.30am-3pm); and Alexandria Citizens Advice Bureau, 77 Bank Street (Mon/Wed/Fri 9.30am-3pm) .

Donations can also be handed into the Hub CE Centre on Fridays from 12.30pm; the Concord Centre on Fridays from 11am-2.30pm, and Alexandria CE Centre on Thursdays from 11am-12.30pm.

The deadline for donations is December 14.