'Mission Christmas means my kids will have a smile on their face, to know they have not been forgotten'

A campaign to ensure no child in our region wakes up without a present on Christmas Day has been hailed a success.

Our charity, Cash for Kids received a record number of applications to its annual toy appeal.

But, because of you, we've been able to deliver more presents than ever.

This year's Mission Christmas appeal is supporting 1,490 children across the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland. 

Members of Borders Additional Needs Group are among the families to benefit.

One parent told them: "Mission Christmas means my kids will have a smile on their face, to know they have not been forgotten. These last few years have been hard, but knowing my kids are happy makes all the difference." 

Another said: "Being a stay-at-home carer we get little, if any, support. With losing my dad, we now have no other family, so without this it would just be another day."

A third added: "My children deserve this and the thought of someone else's generosity enabling this is mind-blowing. I can’t thank everyone enough."

Despite the cost of living crisis impacting on all of us, donations of cash and presents continued to arrive at Mission Christmas HQ in Tweedbank - even if they were being collected by local teachers and social workers, to send out to families in need, just as fast.

Cash for Kids manager Dizzy White told us: "If we didn't do it the children would wake up with absolutely nothing on Christmas Day, which is just very upsetting to think about, so that's why we do it."

And Sheila Fleming, who has been volunteering to help pack pressies for more than ten years, agreed. She said: "I do it because I've got grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and it's just horrible to think somebody might wake up with nothing.

"In a place like the Borders, I never thought there was such a need; but everywhere in the country struggles."

People's Postcode Lottery, Lilliardsedge Holiday Park, near Jedburgh, and a number of local businesses have also pledged support this year, along with MKM which picked up gifts in Berwick. Staff at Plexus in Kelso also gave up their time to help, along with many more!

Katie (pictured top) is from Barony Castle Hotel in Eddleston, which raised more than £4,000 for the appeal from their party nights - some of which were sold out months in advance. She said: "We wanted everybody to enjoy Christmas as much as we all do, and so are so pleased we could play a small part in helping make kids' Christmases all over the Borders."

All the money and gifts donated in the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland stay in this region.

As the campaign wraps up for another year, the Cash for Kids team have shared a message thanking everyone for their overwhelming support.

"Whether you took part in Cash for Kids Day, the Sports Challenge, Mission Christmas or any of our other events, we just want to say another big big THANK YOU," it reads.

"We love doing what we do, but we literally couldn't do it without you. We never take your help for granted and we appreciate everything you do.

"Thanks to you we've been able to help hundreds of local families this year and we know each of these families would also like to say the biggest of thank you's 🥰"

Merry Christmas!

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