A TOY bank who joined forces with the Glasgow Times’ Bank on Us Appeal has benefitted from a cash boost.

Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas (GSOC) has received a donation as part of Barratt Homes’ regular Community Fund giveaway.

The toy bank will be using the money to help fulfil the needs of local children in care with special needs.

In partnership with kitchen manufacturer, Moores, Barratt Homes will supply and fit the charity with a brand-new kitchen and also send employees to help sort the toys ahead of distribution.

Julie Griffin, chief executive at Cultivating Mindfulness, the charity behind the toy bank, added: “We are so grateful to Barratt Homes for their exceptional generosity and kindness this year.

“As a charity we rely on volunteers, and Barratt Homes staff will be joining us at our Wellbeing Centre to help organise and prepare these ‘Gifts Made with Love’, destined to bring the magic of Christmas to a child affected by [the] hardship of poverty.

“It has been an exceptionally tough year for most charities, so we were blown away by the news that Barratt Homes would also be organising the work we need to complete our Wellbeing Centre Kitchen.”

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She added: “This will help us to open post-Christmas and deliver Mindfulness and Wellbeing courses for young people aged 12-21 at no cost, as well as a range of adult services, all to enhance wellbeing and manage mental health.”

Since 2014, the initiative’s supporters have created the magic of Christmas for just shy of 46 thousand children, working with charity partners to deliver over £1.2 million worth of gifts.

The charity is just one of multiple partners who will distribute toys collected by Glasgow Times readers to children throughout the city.

Donation bags were included in every copy of the newspaper last week to be filled with newly bought toys, which will find themselves under a child’s Christmas tree very soon.

Schools across the city have been helping in the collection drive, with dozens expected to drop off their filled bags next week.

Lorne Street Primary School and Shawlands Primary School will have their donations picked up on Monday by our partners, First Bus.

The gifts, which were kindly collected by pupils at the school, will be transported by the bus firm to the charities in need.

Pick up Tuesday’s copy of the Glasgow Times for pictures showing the kind-hearted youngsters donating the toys.