KIND-hearted county volunteers have launched a children’s 'gift bank' to ensure the children of hard-up families who rely on East Lothian Foodbank still receive Christmas presents this year.
Kiddie Gift Bank will offer families who regularly use the foodbank the chance to receive presents including toys, games, books and warm clothing this Christmas time.
Every family will be offered forms which they can fill in outlining their children’s ages, needs, and favourite things before they are sent to the gift bank to try and fulfil.
And also doing their bit to help struggling families this Christmas are a group of county teenagers who have launched the Support Each Other for Christmas initiative, encouraging people to donate gifts to collection points at East Lothian Council venues.
The gifts will then be distributed by Home Start East Lothian to families who need a helping hand over the festive period.
The Kiddie Gift Bank idea is the brainchild of Suzanne Miller, from Prestonpans.

Suzanne has been working with a small team of volunteers to set up drop-off points for donations. She said: “I was watching a programme about a foodbank and was struck by how delighted someone was to receive a warm jumper. It occurred to me that for families who are struggling to feed themselves, finding money for winter clothing was a major issue, never mind Christmas presents.”
Kiddie Gift Bank has already received support from Prestonpans Community Council, while the knitting group at Prestonpans Library has been knitting baby clothes and shawls for the gift bank.
The bank team of volunteers include Suzanne and fellow helpers Esther Morrison, Jade Brown, Kevin Davanna, Graeme Hutchison, Calum Miller and Margaret Kay.
They launched the project this month and have until December 11 to gather as many donations as they can.
Suzanne said: “People have been very generous and we hope we will be able to make sure around 100 children at least have a special Christmas.”
Peter Dicker, from East Lothian Foodbank, said: “I think the Kiddie Gift Bank is a great idea and very worthwhile."
The current list of drop-off points is: Prestonpans Community Centre; Pennypit Centre; Prestonpans Library; Port Seton Centre; Links Road Garage, Port Seton; Wallyford Community Centre; Wallyford Library; Tranent Library; Ross High Rugby Club; Musselburgh Sports Centre; The Brunton customer service desk; David Macbeth Moir, Musselburgh; Hair Couture, Haddington.
Meanwhile, the six teenagers who launched Support Each Other for Christmas are taking part in Lead a Bright Future, a social enterprise by East Lothian Works, the council’s employability hub.
The campaign is asking for donations of toys for babies, children and pets or gift vouchers for young people. Food, clothes and books are not needed.
For more info, go to www.eastlothian.gov.uk