A BENARTY woman is once again on a mission to ensure that no child wakes up on Christmas Day without a gift from Santa.

For the past four years, the Benarty Xmas Appeal has provided hundreds of children with gifts that they can open on Christmas morning.

This year, with everything so different in every walk of life, the one thing Nikki Slater wants the same is children happily opening presents, although she admits it will be a much harder task this time around.

The community effort is usually aided by Forth One but this year they are unable to assist any group with their appeals due to Covid-19 restrictions, meaning Nikki will have to rely on the community a bit more than usual.

Speaking to the Times, Nikki said: “This is the fifth year of doing this but there are changes to it this year. We have not received the same numbers so far and without Forth One it is going to be quite difficult. We are expecting a higher demand this year.

“We give to anyone from birth up to 16 for both sexes and we look to give them a ‘big’ gift, a small gift and a selection box. It is harder for the bigger kids so last year their big present was a gift card which they can spend themselves.”

Last year Nikki arranged for an astonishing 272 children to receive Christmas gifts, but said that she couldn’t see anyone going without having been in difficult places herself at Christmas with her own children.

The community spirit that has been gaining speed this year, however, has ensured that the work Nikki does is not in vain.

She said that some people have already been out and spent £150 on gifts which have been donated, and that two community groups have handed over cash.

Benarty Forum donated £500 cash and £250 in presents, while Benarty Events Group gave £500 to be spent on selection boxes.

Not only that, but Nikki is also holding fundraisers herself and on November 22 will walk a huge 30 miles to raise money which will then be spent on more gifts.

There are no plans to accept help from willing volunteers this year either as a result of the pandemic. Every gift donated already has to be quarantined for 72 hours and Nikki says it’s a safer, more sanitised job if she does it alone.

For anyone wishing to get involved, contact Nikki on mummytop@outlook.com. Alternatively, the chemist in Lochore is willing to accept gift donations which will then be passed on.