A KIND-HEARTED Cowdenbeath business owner is helping to ensure kids don't go without a gift this Christmas.

Margaret Fairley, who runs Toys Sweets and Sumin 2 Eat on High Street, and her staff organised a tombola that raised £1,300 for the Salvation Army.

They then spent the money in local shops, buying everything from cuddly toys and board games to books and deodorant sets, to make sure there's a present under the tree for youngsters who otherwise may not get anything.

Margaret is also funding and hosting a Christmas party for kids and a festive dinner for older folks in the town.

One of her customers, Helen Jones, told the Times: "I think she should be recognised for it as she is doing an amazing thing for our local people. Me and her locals love her."

Modest Margaret played down her role and said: "It's not me, it's the regulars and people that come in and donate prizes and spend their money, it's them we've really got to thank.

"I don't do this to get recognised, it's just for the community to help everybody."

She explained: "We run the tombola and put donations in too, but it's the customers that come in and buy the tickets.

"When we get the money for the Salvation Army we go and buy toys and presents, not just for the young kids but also the older ones.

"We get shortbread and selection boxes and go round the old folks so they get something too."

Margaret is funding a free Christmas dinner for the town's senior citizens, with mulled wine, soup, a pudding and a visit from Santa on December 14.

And there's a kids Christmas party three days later, although tickets sold out in minutes, with both events in the cafe.

She's done so much to help others but it's not been the easiest time since the shop opened in the summer of 2016.

Margaret recalled: "We had a taxi that went through my window, we had wood across it for six or seven weeks and had to get a whole new front put in, and we had to get new toilets as the water meter had a small leak and flooded the place.

"We've had the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis, people are struggling with bills and don't have as much money in their pocket.

"It's been tough but my regulars support me an awful lot. It's like a community cafe, they like to come and have a wee blether, and I have to say we do really good coffee.

"It's not the cheapest but to me it's the best and we do try and keep our prices down."