A THOUGHTFUL children's worker threw two Christmas parties in Neilston which raised £700 for CLIC Sargent.

Sandra McDiarmid opted to arrange the events for youngsters in the village in a bid to generate funds for the young person's cancer charity.

Held at The Travellers Rest, over 50 kids and parents welcomed Santa and some festive-looking donkeys to the Neilston pub at the end of last month.

Assisted by pub owner Gillian Aird, as well as her son Ryan and daughter Erica, Sandra decided to organise something special to spread Christmas cheer while helping out a worthy cause.

She said: "Entry costed £5-per-child so the money raised is all going to CLIC Sargent.

"The reason behind it was because it was Christmas and it is about children. One, we wanted to do something for kids but two, we also wanted to raise funds for kids who are not as fortunate.

"The main thing was the kids had a brilliant party and there's been great feedback on Facebook.

"We had donkeys there as well from a local farm. We got the kids sitting down singing jingles bells for Santa. People were really over the moon.

"We had two parties and they were both oversubscribed. We said we'd only have 40 but about 50-odd were there.

"Thanks to all of the kids and parents for coming along."

CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage that cancer causes beyond health.

For more information about the charity, go to www.clicsargent.org.uk