Dundee charity calls for Xmas teen donations

Staff at Dundee’s Wellgate shopping centre are encouraging shoppers to remember teenagers when donating to the Tay FM Cash for Kids Mission Christmas campaign.

Mission Christmas volunteers are appealing for more gifts to be donated for older children aged 12-18. Picture: Grainger

Throughout December, the eight collection points at the Wellgate have been accepting donations for disadvantaged local children aged up to 18 years.

However, the Mission Christmas volunteers are “struggling” to obtain donations for both boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18.

Marion Crerar, Commercial Manager at the Wellgate Shopping Centre, said: “Let there be no doubt about it, we are very grateful for every donation made, however small but, as is the case every year, we’re really struggling for donations for older children, both boys and girls.

“People often associate teenagers with more expense but we’d love if people could buy an extra pair of gloves, scarf or hat when they’re doing their Christmas shopping, or even a board game, jumper or beauty gift set if they can stretch to that.”

The call to donate to children in these age groups comes as the campaign is set to end this Friday, when the assembled donations will be passed onto social workers by the end of the week.

Such is the volume of donations received so far that one local social worker is set to collect gifts for approximately 300 children in total.

Crerar added: “One in three children are living in poverty in our area so we are exceptionally proud and privileged to be working on this crucial campaign.

“These donations make a massive difference to local children who may otherwise be waking up to no gifts.”

Those looking to donate to the appeal can also do so online, in person or over the phone by contacting Tay FM.