THE Clutha Trust has teamed up with the charity Spirit Aid to launch a Christmas Toy appeal to help some of the city’s most vulnerable families.

The annual collection, which has been running for 14 years, will now have a base at the shop next door to The Clutha Trust charity shop on Stockwell Street.

In previous years, the collection was based in the pub with generous punters donating items to the appeal.

Patrick Rolink, general manager of Spirit Aid, said that around 8,000 toys were delivered to kids across the West of Scotland last year.

A variety of organisations including Women’s Aid are linked in with the appeal and items are donated to those vulnerable families who use the service.

This year, the charity is looking for brand new toys and items for teenagers which can be dropped into the shop. Alan Crossan said: “When you get involved in the toy appeal you see how many families really need help. Sometimes we have actually gone out and delivered, and it is heartbreaking to see what conditions they are living in”

He added: “Everybody that comes to the Clutha gets involved, they are really generous with what they give.”

Patrick said: “We have had people crying when we have given them toys. They say it was the only toys their children would get.

“A lot of the families we are now dealing with are working poor families. Both mum and dad are working but fall through the net.

Those families are extremely grateful.”

He added: “Every year there is more demand, and yet the public step up to the plate and give us more toys.”

You can donate to the toy appeal at the venue on Stockwell Street during office hours.