Sisters deliver toys to needy children in Scotland

Orla and Mara Livingston. Picture: John Devlin

Orla and Marla Livingston, age seven and four, made posters and asked people in their community to donate toys to charity Children 1st, who will hand the gifts out to the families they work with.

It is the third year in a row that the sisters have instigated a toy drive for a good cause.

Mum Christine ,35, said: “I’m really proud of them, they’ve worked really hard. Thanks to everyone who donated toys, including the Girl’s Brigade, who just got in touch with us and came up trumps.

Orla and Mara Livingston from Erskine deliver sack fulls of presents they have raised for charity.

“This all started because one of the girls had been going to Yorkhill Hospital and they asked what happened at Christmas time to the children in the ward. The past couple of years they’ve collected for Robin House and Yorkhill but this year they asked if they could give toys to children who didn’t have any.”

The girls collected the toys from their school, Barsail Primary in Erskine, as well as Mara’s nursery and from groups in the community.

They visited the charity’s Glasgow office on Monday (December 14) where they were met by Twinkle McSprinkle, Santa’s Elf.

Twinkle said: “The gifts that we’ve received will ensure that the children we work with will have reasons to smile on Christmas Day. Santa was delighted to hear about their hard work and kindness and has noted their good deeds.”

Orla and Mara deliver their presents to Twinkle McSparkle the Elf. Picture: John Devlin

Children 1st helps Scotland’s families with practical advice and with support in difficult times. When the worst happens it supports the survivors of abuse, neglect and other traumatic events in childhood to recover. Every penny it raises stays in Scotland. Last year it directly supported more than 17,000 children, young people, parents and carers.