The Sunday Post: Hospice News

Santa is raising cash too

EVERY YEAR, Kilmarnock pensioner Margaret Gourley turns her home into a Christmas grotto for charity. Hundreds of people visit the festive wonderland and donate money to her charity box — which this year is going to our hospice appeal.

Margaret has hundreds of Santa Claus figures and toys in various shapes and sizes, plus hand-made models from as far afield as South Africa and America, and raises Ł250-Ł500 each year.

It all started with just one Santa Claus gift, sent to her 15 years ago from a friend in Las Vegas.

From that moment, Margaret began collecting Christmas toys and decided five years ago that she could perhaps make money for charity from her festive hobby.

Margaret — almost hidden
behind her Santas.

Anyone in the area of Margaret’s home — 5 McLelland Drive, Kilmarnock — can pop in over the Christmas period and donate to our CHAS appeal.

Also among those who sent donations were Elaine and Rod MacLeod, from Stirling, who recently celebrated their pearl wedding anniversary.

They invited friends and family to their house for a party and, instead of presents, they asked for contributions to our appeal. The result was Ł240.

Among the other donations this week have been:
Mrs B. Cumming, Bridge of Don — Ł15
Mrs V. Pink, Tayport — Ł23
Anonymous — Ł10
Our heartfelt thanks to all of them.

If you would like to make a donation, make your cheque payable to Sunday Post CHAS Appeal and send it to: The Sunday Post, c/o CHAS, 72 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 7DA.

You can e-mail us at: hospice@sundaypost.com