* THIS APPEAL HAS NOW ENDED, ANY FURTHER DONATIONS WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO AIRDRIE COMMUNITY SCHOOL UNIFORM BANK

The cost of living crisis is hitting everyone hard this festive season. For many children this means that they may miss out on some of the little joys associated with Christmas - like receiving an advent calendar.

The Child Poverty Action Group estimate that nearly one in four children living across Scotland are in poverty. We must do all we can to tackle this and it is incumbent upon us all to act. Even something as little as an advent calendar can have an impact on improving lives this festive season.