THE organiser of a toy bank collection which goes to cash-strapped families in Glasgow is preparing for an increased demand on his service this year - as the Universal Credit rollout continues.

The Community and Beyond Toy Bank helped 360 families at Christmas last year and the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity but organiser John Beattie believes the collection will go even further this year.

John, from Govan, started the collection four years ago after he recognised that there was a need to help families over Christmas. He had been collecting for city foodbanks and spotted there was no provision for Christmas.

He said: "We know already that this year's collection will be bigger because we have had a few organisations who said they are collecting in their workplace.

"But we are expecting that the demand will be higher now especially with the Universal Credit rollout. I do a lot of work with foodbanks and they have already seen around a 23 per cent increase in their usage. Plus a few organisations and charities have contacted us already to see if they can refer families to us."

Struggling families are referred to the toy bank by social workers, foodbanks and the charity Children 1st as well as other organisations.

The collection is then organised by an army of volunteers who are waiting for the public to donate brand new toys so that they can get them to families in time for Christmas.

John said: "There will be more families in need of the project than there was last year and the difference it makes is incredible.

"We often get heartfelt messages after the collection from the parents who are just so grateful. A lot of the time when the parent comes to get their toys, they cry there and then. I think they show up thinking they will get one or two gifts, they don't realise the reality is they get a large bag.

"It is a double-edged sword, it is a great project but it deeply saddens you as well."

He added: "The best thing about the project, however, is the number of people who want to help."

You can donate to the collection which will be based at the Riverside Hall, 29 to 31 Clydebrae Street, Govan on Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm; Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 1pm.

New toys can also be donated by purchasing the items online and having them delivered to the base at the Riverside Hall.

For more information, e-mail communitytoybank@yahoo.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/communitytoybank/