Generous customers at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness give thousands of pounds to support those less fortunate
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Generous customers at the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness dug deep over the festive period to support those less fortunate.
Centre manager Jackie Cuddy said thousands of pounds had been raised and gifts donated with one family reduced to tears when their child received a Christmas present.
“When it comes to customer kindness, this year has been no exception, despite the cost crisis facing everyone,” she said.
The week-long RNLI stand raised £5124 from the sale of cards and gifts and received many donations.
The Salvation Army gift wrap service raised £11,000 while sales from United Charities Christmas cards helped Marie Curie, Highland Hospice and Children’s Hospices Across Scotland.
The Order of St John, which organised the Giving Tree, received 1800 presents to distributed to youngsters in need around the Highlands and Islands.
One family was reduced to tears after the eldest child got a bike.
Having bought presents for their younger children, the parents did not know how with the rising energy costs they could afford a present for their eldest.
Santa’s Grotto raised about £11,000 for Highland Hospice while the carolthon, organized by the Inverness Choral Society, raised more than £1500, with half of it going towards Highland mental health charity, Mikleysline.
The Entertainer answered MFR’s Mission Christmas appeal and set up a buy-and-donate scheme, resulting in 11 huge sacks of toys.
Christmas miracle ensures children receive presents
Ms Cuddy said: “It is heart warming to see the difference the Order of St John Giving Tree makes to the lives of local families at Christmas.”
“I have been at the centre for 18 Christmases now and it still amazes me how generous people are with the amount of presents they donate year on year.
“There are a lot of young people who save up and donate and there are families who used to come with their parents who now continue the tradition with their children.
“Eastgate customers respond very generously to all community and charitable events at the centre and I would like to thank them for taking time out of the busy festive period to show their support to those less fortunate.”
