Christmas is one of the most expensive times of the year; the social and financial pressures place so much stress and anxiety on families. However it can be the time for a community to come together and for people to show their hearts by helping those without. With the help of our community and local businesses; the Boghall Drop in centre manages to step in and remove some of this stress and make sure that these children, these families can enjoy this time of the year.

Last year 89 children experienced the wonders of Christmas; receiving items from their letters to Santa. Parents received gifts and the family received a food parcel, a food voucher and everything they needed for a Christmas dinner. Last year you all helped make those families Christmas one filled with love and laughter.

This year we have 38 families that are seeking our support to change their Christmas from one of dread to one where their children will still be able to experience the magic of Christmas. The majority of those families come from families we support all year round. The new families will be supported by the charity from now. This support can be from emotional support, financial support or helping the families socially engage.

There are 50 children so far looking for you to play Santa this year.

To help out as much as you can. This could be popping in to grab a bauble from our tree of hope. Each bauble represents a real child and a real wish list item from their Santa letters.

You could sponsor one of the very brave people completing the very first Supernova Forth Road Bridge 5k event this November. Honestly this event is not for the weak willed and is not an easy stroll.

Or you can simply use this page to donate some money. We also have an amazon wish list. When we say every penny counts we really do mean it. The families will receive gifts for every child in the family, the carers/parents a gift and a large food hamper for them family. So even if you are not able to help by donating money we will be accepting donated of ambient food with long dates. Simply hand into the Boghall Community Wing.

However at this time of year it is important to not forget the most vulnerable in our community; the elderly. This year we will be hosting a Christmas dinner and dance for free. Not forgetting some of the more vulnerable people in our community we will be hosting our annual Pensioner Christmas Dinner and dance. Every year we say there will be 70 spaces available and every year we go above this. They get a three course meal and a gift boxes which is filled with handmade items from our volunteers. Thoughtful gifts from the heart; one of our volunteers has been hand crafting resin tree decorations for months. Something special for them to have at home to remind them someone cares. Several of our regularly elderly services users will also be gifted with a present to make sure that they also get a gift this year.

Also this December we have not one but two free to attend Breakfast with Santa mornings. Santa’s Grotto will also be available for children to meet with the real magic itself – Santa. It is essential that these events are available for free to make sure that no families are left behind. That no family needs to admit their hardship to attend.