GENEROUS staff and contractors at Fife’s Ethylene Plan, at Mossmorran, have helped deliver over £5,000 of Christmas cheer to Fife families.

The ExxonMobil Christmas Appeal raised thousands of pounds, along with other donations of toys and food.

As well as the 170 staff who work at the plant, contractors including Bilfinger – who donated £2,000 - Doosan Babcock, CBRE, Wood Group, Visics and Cryogen also contributed.

Some of the money, which was raised through the plant’s interest groups, was used to buy non-perishable food and toiletries, and another chunk was spent on a selection of toys for children from babies to teenagers, while cash donations were also handed over to two local charities.

Staff from ExxonMobil delivered the goods to The Cottage Family Centre in Kirkcaldy and Kingdom Kids, the charity run by the Kingdom FM radio station.

These will be handed over to families in dire need of help this Christmas to ensure every child wakes up to a present on Christmas morning.

In addition The Cottage will provide families on its crisis list with food packs to see them over the festive period, including a full Christmas dinner and breakfast packs.

Pauline Buchan, service manager at The Cottage, said: “This is an absolutely amazing donation and will help to make such a huge difference to many families who are struggling to cope this Christmas.

“The number of children referred to us this year has risen yet again to around 1,200 – that’s up from 100 when we started doing this Christmas appeal back in 2011.

“When we started it we never expected to still be having to do it nine years on, but things are actually worse now than ever before.

“Some parents are having to make a choice between heating their homes or feeding their children, never mind the added stress of buying presents, so we want to thank everyone who has contributed to this fantastic donation.”

Kirsty Letham ,from the Kingdom Kids charity, added: “Christmas can be an extremely difficult time for children and families and is often a harsh reminder of how much they can't afford or provide and so we are delighted to play a small part in liaising with other charities and groups to ensure the donated toys get to those who will most benefit from them.

“Some of the toys collected will also go towards our Breakfast with Santa event this weekend which allows 100 children who have been referred to us, to enjoy a magical morning with Snow White, The Snow Queen, Elves and Santa himself over a delicious breakfast.

“They will enjoy games, story-telling, colouring and arts and crafts before receiving some Christmas Eve goodies as well as a gift for the big day!

“The toys and money we received from ExxonMobil staff and contractors will go a long way to help disadvantaged children as well as the groups and charities who support them and their development. Every penny stays within the Kingdom which is so important.”

Jacob McAlister, plant manager at FEP, said: “We are more than happy to be able to contribute to these very worthwhile causes.

“Our staff and contractors at FEP have been very generous and it’s great to see what their contributions have enabled us to give to families in Fife where the majority of our team live.”