A MOTHER and daughter from Dumbarton have created boxes filled with sweet treats and toys situated on a fairy trail walk for children to enjoy.

Susan MacDonald, 52, discovered two fairy trees, designed by local Anne Marshall on a stroll last week and she decided to add her own handmade jewellery to decorate the trees on the shore front walk that starts at Dumbarton Castle.

After speaking to her daughter Emma Cameron, the idea of a “swap box” for children to enjoy was created where small toys can be swapped for something else already in the box.

The ladies created two boxes which are located by the Hedgehog Hamlet past the fairy trees– one with sweet treats and another with small gifts/toys.

Susan told the Reporter: “We both go down once a day to top up the sweeties, make sure everything is clean and tidy and take photos for the Facebook group.”

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The project has received signatures in the guest book that the ladies left for children across Dumbarton and the Vale.

Emma, 32, who has two children, explains why this project is important to her family.

She said: “It is lovely that everyone is wanting to go and visit together and see the path.

“It is nice to see something positive when everything is so miserable right now and it is a fun way to break up the day.”

The duo also created an associated Facebook group “Swapbox Dumbarton” for parents to share their comments and pictures. Within a week it has gained more than 150 members.

Emma said: “It has been an amazing experience so far. People have been posting their own pictures of their children leaving stuff.

“It has been lovely to see them all joining in."

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Susan added: “We are meeting people on the walk who recognise us and children who recognise us.

“We just wanted to give back to the community and do something for the children to keep a smile on their faces.”

And the project is growing further as the family is now planning to install a third box at the beginning of the path for children who are not comfortable walking the longer distance.

They are looking for shop owners and members of the community to support their project by donating items for the boxes.