Toy bank in Govan helps hundreds of families on Christmas Day - thanks to Evening Times

Staff at The Community and Beyond Toy Bank in Govan smashed their target for their 2018 appeal and confirmed that they were able to help more than 600 children across the West of Scotland.

They had set a target of collecting toys for around 500 families this year and the collection organised by local man John Beattie has grown in size yet again.

John said: "One of the main things this year was that people who reached out and said they wanted to donate had seen an article in The Evening Times. They thought the project was brilliant and they wanted to help."

Last year, 360 families received a donation bag in time for Christmas while the previous year that figure was 147 families.

We reported that there was an expectation of an increased demand from cash-strapped families who are dealing with the impact of the Universal credit rollout.

But it appears John and his group of volunteers have been able to handle emergency referrals this year which have come from social workers, foodbanks and the charity Children 1st.

The toy bank, based at The Riverside Hall, was started after PHD student John recognised that there was a need to help families over Christmas. He had been collecting for city food banks and spotted there was no provision for Christmas.

He said: "I can't thank everyone enough who donated and supported the appeal.

"There must have been over 20,000 toys donated this year. We don't just give the children one toy, they are given a bag with a book, selection box and vouchers for Primark."

He added: "It is a remarkable achievement. As you know, they don’t just get one gift, they get a full Christmas.

"On top of this many other children received gifts, but I don’t want to count them in my stats because I felt it didn’t warrant being counted as a ‘full’ Christmas."

For more information on the collection, visit https://www.facebook.com/communitytoybank/