CHILDREN in need across East Renfrewshire were handed extra presents this Christmas, thanks to kind donations from staff at Barrhead Housing Association.

They arranged a Spirit of Christmas appeal, where workers made donations to buy festive gifts for youngsters within the local area.

Through their generosity, around 80 children benefited from an additional present to open on Christmas Day.

The appeal was organised in conjunction with Barrhead Housing Association’s maintenance contractor, Turner Property Services, who helped deliver the parcels to East Renfrewshire Council headquarters so they could then be distributed by social services to specific families and children in need across the region.

Jennifer McCann, customer services manager at Barrhead Housing Association, said: “Each year, staff give donations to a local cause and, this year, we decided to do a staff collection for The Spirit of Christmas. It’s specifically for targeted families, to get them things they need.

“We collected £185 and bought all sorts of bits and pieces that we were told children need.

“Turner Property Services did a toy collection and we did clothes and jackets.”

Management and staff at Barrhead Housing Association also teamed up with organisers of the Cash for Kids appeal to provide vouchers for families who were feeling the pinch in the run-up to Christmas.

A total of 132 vouchers, each worth £25, were secured and then presented to families during a festive bash at the Auchenback Resource Centre.

Staff at Barrhead Housing Association invited local children to the party and handed them selection boxes as an added treat.