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Living Lerwick is launching a Christmas gift appeal in conjunction with the Shetland Food Bank and Food for the Way to gather gifts for people in need this festive season.

The 'Food for the Way' group is continuing the excellent work done in past years by the Salvation Army to appeal for gifts for those who may be facing a Christmas with few or no gifts. Sadly, there are increasing numbers of people who will receive no gifts and may also struggle for other essential items such as food or toiletries. The existing campaign will continue with Living Lerwick joining in with an appeal which will focus on gifts for adults.

Living Lerwick has received funding from Improvement Districts Scotland Ltd to provide a project with a community benefit. Following a public appeal to run from 18th November to 8th December, this funding will be used to purchase an additional £1500 worth of gifts, food and personal items for those in extra need throughout Shetland.

The Shetland Food Bank, run by the Trussel Trust, will help to distribute these items through their established network of clients. The Food for the Way team will assist with the distribution through local agencies from the Methodist Church Hall in Lerwick.

Emma Miller, Living Lerwick Project Manager said: “It’s heart-breaking that in this day and age people in Shetland are facing Christmas, or indeed any time of year, with not enough money to feed themselves and their children. Christmas is an especially hard time of year to have nothing, and since it’s the season of giving, we would like to encourage folk to do just that. Spread a little cheer by visiting your local businesses, buy an extra something and make a difference to someone’s Christmas”

Suitable gifts to donate would include gift sets, puzzles, meal or beauty treatment vouchers, tee-shirts or jumpers for male or female adults.

Gifts should be left unwrapped so they can be suitably allocated to a recipient. Please note only new items are requested.

Donations can be dropped into Smith & Robertson's at 179 Commercial Street from 18th November to Sunday 8th December.

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