A BARRHEAD company has donated 500 gifts to disadvantaged children after partnering with Barnardo’s for the second year running.

Barrhead Travel’s Main Street branch has donated the presents to kids across various levels of care, including those with disabilities and mental health issues

Each member of the Barrhead Travel team is matched with a child from a local Barnardo’s centre who has written a short list of gifts they would like from Santa this year, such as pyjamas and toiletries.

Employees then posed as Santa and his helpers as they embarked on their annual Santa Run, delivering donated gifts to centres.

Lee Johnstone, fundraising lead for Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “The generosity of Barrhead Travel employees who have donated some wonderful presents to children and young people we support in the communities local to each of their stores has been incredibly heart-warming.

“Christmas is, unfortunately, not always the special and magical time it should be for some but, thanks to the kindness shown by Barrhead Travel staff, the children receiving these gifts won’t go without.

“Thank-you so much to all who contributed. We are so thankful and, rest assured, these presents are going to great homes.”

Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel, added: “We are delighted to make a difference to the children and young people around us who otherwise might not receive a gift on Christmas morning.

“I am so proud of each Barrhead Travel team who put in a special effort to ensure there is still a little bit of magic for these children at Christmas this year.

“The whole initiative has inspired us to do more and we look forward to working again in this way in the new year.”