The Christmas countdown is now officially underway with the launch of Cash for Kids seasonal charity drive, Mission Christmas.

Last year nearly 21,000 underprivileged children from across Edinburgh, the Lothians Fife and Falkirk enjoyed a special Christmas thanks to the charity initiative from Forth 1 and Forth 2’s Cash for Kids.

The big-hearted charity raised the impressive sum of £1.1 million in 2017 to ensure that as many children as possible could share in the magic of Christmas and distributed brand new gifts to those who need it most.

Mission Christmas –   in partnership with B&M Bargain and B&M Home Stores – is now appealing for support to help even more children in 2018 and new and unwrapped gifts can now be donated at a number of locations including local B&M stores and ASDA store as well as the and the Gyle Shopping centre. A full list of locations can be found at forth1.com/mission

Mission Christmas also accepts monetary donations which can be made online, via text or in person at Radio Forth, Forth House, Forth Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3LE.

The charity is looking for gifts for girls and boys from birth up to the age of 18, however, in past years presents for babies and teenagers from 13 onwards, especially boys, have tended to receive fewer donations.

The charity is now also accepting applications from organisations seeking support to help youngsters over the festive period and these can be made by authoritative bodies including social workers, teachers and members of the police.

Victoria Hendry, Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids Charity Manager, said: “No child should feel as though they can’t be a part of the festive season. Here at Mission Christmas we are committed to ensuring every single child across East central Scotland has a present to wake up to on Christmas morning, regardless of their social background or any barriers they face.

“Mission Christmas was a great success last year and we were able to fulfil every application received. We were sent a number of heart-warming thank you letters from families who told us how they struggle to have a hot meal on Christmas Day or heat their homes and so presents really are a luxury they cannot afford. We hope to help even more children this year with our campaign and ensure as many families as possible share in the festive spirit.”

Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (PYCP) was one project which received support in 2017 and Debbie McMillian, Centre manager at PYCP, explained the difference that Mission Christmas can make.

She said: “We have had support from Forth 1 and Forth 2’s Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal for over six years now and they have provided over 10,000 gifts to children and young people living in Pilton and the local area who might have spent Christmases with no or little gifts from Santa.

“People who donate to this appeal are helping children and young people directly affected by poverty in an area close to where they are living. This helps to create happy childhood memories for children and families to remember for years to come.” (Full case study is below)

Further information on how to support Mission Christmas is available at forth1.com/mission and the deadline for gift donations is 13^th December.

Applications for donations from Mission Christmas are also now open and must be completed online by teachers, social workers or professionals working directly with children and young people before 19^th November at forth1.com/mission.

Any gifts donated after the deadline, or surplus gifts from more popular age groups, will be distributed in the New Year to families in refuges and other emergency situations or stored securely to be used the following year.