KIND-hearted readers of The Gazette have been thanked for bringing some festive joy to cash-strapped families.

We teamed up with the Renfrewshire Christmas Toy Bank to appeal for donations that would help to make sure no child in the local area woke up without a present on the special day.

The worthy cause was set up by Renfrew woman Lauren Roy-Sutherland after she realised families who were struggling to make ends meet couldn’t afford to splash the cash on gifts.

READ MORE: Support pours in for Renfrewshire Christmas Toy Bank appeal

And our generous readers were only too happy to rally round, helping to provide presents for 1,500 children.

From toys for babies to gift cards for teenagers, donations poured in for families in Johnstone, Renfrew and beyond.

A delighted Lauren told The Gazette: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to support us this Christmas.

“Without these donations, we wouldn’t be able to help so many families.”

Lauren and her fellow volunteers spent months gathering gifts before passing them onto various charities, community groups and the Renfrewshire Foodbank so they could be distributed to families in need.

As part of our partnership, The Gazette provided funds to help rent a warehouse so that volunteers could sort and package piles of donated gifts.

“It was absolutely amazing to be able to provide gifts for so many children,” said Lauren."

READ MORE: Gazette Toy Appeal: Make a child smile this Christmas

We had so many people fundraising for us, including people at the Keystore in the Corseford area of Johnstone.

“I also want to thank Lorna Judge and Caroline Latimer, who are both on the board of the Renfrewshire Christmas Toy Bank.”

Tom McConigley, group editor for The Gazette series, added: “We were delighted to support this cause and we thank our readers for their support.”

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