HERE at the Times we believe that every child deserves a gift this Christmas, that’s why we’ve teamed up with a number of local businesses for our annual Foodbank Toy Appeal.

It was a huge success last year and we are asking readers once again to dig deep and support our drive to help ensure that no kid goes without a present this festive season.

ExxonMobil have kindly stepped up to support this year’s appeal.

We will be including a gift bag with copies of the Times and are asking readers, if they can, to purchase a small gift to donate to the appeal.

The foodbanks in Benarty and Cowdenbeath, which are overseen by Dunfermline Foodbank, will be accepting the donations and distributing them to the public.

Sandra Beveridge, the project manager at Dunfermline Foodbank, is delighted that the Times has decided to run the toy appeal again this year.

She said: “We are delighted to be part of the Central Fife Times Toy Appeal this year again after the huge success of last year.

“Everyone who is referred to the foodbank during the month of December receives a gift and in particular the children.

“We cannot thank the people of West and Central Fife enough for doing this for local children at Christmas time.

“No one should wake up on Christ- mas morning to nothing.

“The donations of toys, and food if you can, will go a long way to make many people happy this Christmas and hopefully take some stress away from the current crisis we are in.”

The appeal comes at a difficult time with the cost-of-living crisis stretching thin budgets ever thinner.

The toys donated through this appeal could mean the difference between a child getting a gift this Christmas or going without.

Times editor Kevin McRoberts said: “The Times is at the heart of the Central Fife community we are privileged to serve, and we want to help those in our communities who may have fallen on hard times at this special time of year.

“Last year, we were blown away by the generosity of our readers and I know that, with the community spirit that we have seen in Central Fife throughout and since the pandemic, they will help those who might otherwise miss out.”

We are also asking readers to consider donating food alongside a toy, if they can.

Currently, the foodbank is in need of tinned foods including meat, fish, potatoes, vegetables, long life milk, coffee and tea, sugar, Mug Shots or Cuppa Soups, tinned macaroni or spaghetti, instant mashed potatoes, long life or diluting juice and cheesy pasta.

Other essentials such as washing up liquid, shampoo and conditioner are also welcome.

Anyone who would like to donate to this year’s Christmas Toy Appeal can do so by dropping their gift bag, which will be included in your edition of the Times on Wednesday, November 29, off at the Benarty and Cowdenbeath foodbanks.

Benarty is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while Cowdenbeath is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, both 4 to 6pm.

Or you can take them to the food- bank’s  warehouse  at  Unit  1C, Pitreavie Business Park, Dunfermline, on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, between 4pm and 6pm.

Central Fife Times: The Fife Ethylene Plant manager, Toby Hamblin, and the team at ExxonMobil are backing the Toy Appeal.The Fife Ethylene Plant manager, Toby Hamblin, and the team at ExxonMobil are backing the Toy Appeal. (Image: ExxonMobil)

THE BIG-hearted team at ExxonMobil have stepped up to help make our Central Fife Times’ Christmas Toy Appeal happen.

The firm, which operates the Fife Ethylene Plant at Mossmorran, has again sponsored the drive which aims to give families who need it an extra helping hand and, with the cost-of-living crisis, they need help now more than ever.

It continues its support from last year when it again dug deep to ensure that Christmas joy was spread across West and Central Fife, by ensuring kids didn’t go without a gift.

Central Fife Times:

Stuart Neill, external affairs manager at the Mossmorran site, said: “Here at ExxonMobil’s Fife Ethylene Plant we have played an active part in the Fife community for more than 35 years.

“We have a strong history of providing a helping hand wherever we can and are proud to be continuing that tradition again this year with the Central Fife Times and Dunfermline Foodbank.

“We have been impressed by the generosity of the newspaper and its readers with previous Christmas appeals and we are thrilled to be working together to bring some joy to families at this special time of year.

“Our employees know they are in a fortunate position but, sadly, not everybody in our community is in the same situation as the cost-of-living crisis is affecting more people than ever.

“We would ask those who are able, to give what they can for this kind appeal.”