Designer outlet help young people this Christmas

Picture: Rebecca Mitchell of Barnardo's Scotland adds the final tag to Giving Tree

The outlet is encouraging shoppers to make a difference this festive season by donating to young people, making sure they get at least one new gift on Christmas morning.

Barnardo’s Scotland, the centre’s charity partner for 2016, will be joining them in installing a Giving Tree which will be decorated with tags featuring the name and age of a child. Customers will have the opportunity to choose a tag and buy a suitable gift.

The gift will be wrapped and delivered to vulnerable children across Scotland.

The tree which can be found in the food quarter on the first floor of the Outlet, is the first charity initiative introduced as part of the partnership.

Money collected from its well-loved water feature will also be donated to the charity throughout the year.

Kylie Wilson, Marketing Manager at Livingston Designer Outlet, said: “We’re really proud to have Barnardo’s Scotland as our charity partner. They do a tremendous amount of work with the local West Lothian community and across Scotland, making a real difference to young people’s lives.

“The Giving Tree encapsulates the true meaning of Christmas. We’re hopeful our customers will come together and help us to make a difference to local children this festive season - gifts of any size are welcome, we’re just pleased to play a small part in the incredible work they do.”

For over 40 years, Barnardo’s Scotland has supported children with disabilities in West Lothian, assisting families who have children aged 5-17 years with profound learning disabilities and high care needs. Through voluntary donations from the public and companies, the charity offers activities which help promote inclusion, whilst developing physical, communication and social skills and encourage confidence.

Rebecca Mitchell, Corporate Relationship Executive at Barnardo’s Scotland said: “Barnardo’s Scotland is delighted to have been chosen by Livingston Designer Outlet as theoutlet’s charity partner and we are very excited at the prospect of working with them to help vulnerable children in the area.

“Our vital work is dependent on corporate relationships and our partnership with Livingston Designer Outlet will allow us to support local families to build a better future.

“We are also grateful for the donation of gifts to our services which will go a long way in making a disadvantaged child or young person’s Christmas that little bit more special.”