‘Spirit of Christmas’ busy wrapping presents for children to wake up to this Christmas

Orchard Brae House in Edinburgh is alive with festive activity this season. Following four new lettings at the beginning of the year, the newly refurbished office building is also now home to a pop-up ‘donation station’ for ‘Edinburgh’s Spirit of Christmas’ charity appeal – where volunteers can collect, sort and distribute gifts for children living in poverty or hardship.

 Working away like one of Santa’s elf’s from his new Orchard Brae workshop, organiser Marty Dunlop said: “It has been an amazing help for ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ to be gifted the use of Orchard Brae House as a safe, central and friendly environment to hold our base of operations from. This has allowed the appeal to safely store the hundreds of donations gifted by the public in Edinburgh, and provided much needed space required to sort the gifts for children facing hardship this Christmas.”

The Spirit of Christmas is a Scottish organisation staffed by volunteers and set up to provide Christmas gifts to children suffering from hardship and poverty. Last year 8,500 children woke up to their gifts on Christmas Day and this year it is hoped even more gifts will be received, with the charity appeal going from strength to strength following the launch of a new branch in Edinburgh, which all together grows the force of the appeal in Scotland to 42,800 members and counting.

This year, ‘Edinburgh’s Spirit of Christmas’ will provide support to children through Food banks, Family support, Young People’s Centres and Children’s foundations in the local area. They will also work alongside supporters including ‘Barnardo’s’, ‘With Kids’, ‘Home start Leith’, ‘Women’s Aid’ and many more.

Delancey Managing Director, Paul Goswell commented: “We are delighted to be able to support a charity which helps more children enjoy the festive season and are pleased to offer Orchard Brae House as a central location for all donations.”