THE Santa Benarty 2017 Toy Appeal has made a wonderful start with an abundance of fantastic toys and gifts donated through the various collection points and it all makes certain that children from families facing difficulties will get a Christmas to remember.

The collection points at Benarty Community Shop, Domestic Bliss, BRAG, and Glamtrix By Vix have showing once more the thoughtfulness and kindness enshrined into the hearts of Benartarians and its ex-pats who maintain strong connections with the villages in the area.

The staff, management and owners of the various collection points too have given their all to the appeal and their enthusiastic co-operation has been highly commended by the Benarty Fundraisers, who have been behind the Santa Benarty project.

The first load of toys have already been delivered to the appeal courtesy of the joint effort of local firm OBB Ltd and Fife’s own Kingdom FM, whose toy appeal boxes in supermarkets attract the generous donations of shoppers around Fife.

This week sees the start of the wrapping and distribution of the toys and again the people from the area have been sticking their oar in to volunteer their time and care to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Said BF's Billy McKean: "The organisational skills of these volunteers are second to none and it’s impressive that they chose to return after the challenging campaign last year.

"Their experience this year will be invaluable. A wee mention also is due to Steven at the BRAG reception, whose friendly enthusiasm for this year's campaign has seen him mucking in to help shift in the loads of toys to our main storage point there.

"I don’t know how it will all go this year as far as distribution goes as it is all a bit of a stalled procedure, waiting to see how much of a response we get.

"But Santa Benarty really does understand ‘North Pole Pressure’ as there is such a lot of work to do all within a very short time frame and this impacts on all the people involved from the volunteers to the various social work departments and schools etc to negotiate a fast and effective turnaround before everyone goes on holiday".

He added: "Whatever the conclusion, I am confident that everyone will do their very best to make sure our main outcome is fulfilled in that no bairn in Benarty will be without toys on Christmas morning.

"Anything we can achieve more than this will be a bonus. In any case the success of the Santa Benarty Toy Appeal cannot exist without the goodwill and kind-heartedness of a lot of people and it is with good fortune that this has up till now rained in abundance upon us.

"This week should also see a surprise in the launch of a new sleigh that Santa Benarty’s James Fotheringham has been working hard at getting commissioned.

"The paint is still drying before the magic dust can be applied but it is hoped it will be ready to spring some surprises on the Benarty Community.

"The Central Fife Times has been key in promoting the Santa Benarty Toy Appeal since its inception but for those readers who haven’t heard of Santa Benarty, ask around, look us up on Facebook be our friend and get involved.

"I won’t be happy until what we do is known to everyone in the community and our friends stretch far and wide and beyond the villages of Benarty.

"I’d like it to be on everyone’s lips and in everyone’s hearts on the run-up to every Christmas as it is such a worthy cause. It’s a busy time of year for everyone so for all those prepared to chip in in whichever way, I assure you it is a wonderful thing that you do."

Billy praised all the volunteers who have helped including Community Policeman Barry Smith, who gave up his lunch break on Monday to help wrap gifts and staff at BRAG who have ensured that the Santa Benarty 'back shift' has been able to get in after 5pm to carry on wrapping.