Next deadline - Friday 15th November Renfrewshire Christmas Toy Bank WHO ARE WE? Renfrewshire Christmas Toy Bank is a charity working with Social Work, Health Visitors, Family Nurse Partnership, the Star Project, Families First, Barnardo’s Threads, the Renfrewshire Foodbank and Who Cares Scotland, to provide Christmas gifts for children aged 0-18 in Renfrewshire. We have a number of donation points (see below). All donations must be new and not contain slime or chemicals, e.g. science kits. We also take cash donations to buy gift cards for teenagers and specialised toys for children with additional support needs. There is a Paypal donate link on our Facebook page. New toys help ensure a safety standard. We also work closely with Trading Standards at Renfrewshire Council to help assist with this. The well-being of our clients and volunteers is paramount. Gift packages are given out on a referral basis. We aim to have all gift packages out a week before Christmas so that those receiving the gifts have peace of mind that the gifts are there. This also allows time for the organisations to distribute gifts. Last year we gave out close to 1000 gifts to children and young people in Renfrewshire. TO DONATE If you would like to donate toys, please message the facebook page and we can arrange a pick up or drop off. We also have our paypal donate button which helps us buy gift cards for teenagers and specialised toys for children with disabilities. You can also drop off toys at any of the following: All Renfrewshire Libraries Houston The Village Paper Shop Paisley The Old Swan, Gantry, Paisley, Comicrazy Coffee Bar, Brew, Paisley, C Allan & Son Accountancy Services Ltd, Mhairi Black MP office Johnstone Big Kids Little Learners, Tom Arthur MSP office Linwood Tesco Superstore, Tesco Linwood in the Community Renfrew intu Braehead, Davidson’s Bar, Gavin Newlands MP office We already have referrals in, and plan on receiving over 1,200. With your donations, that could be 1,200 children and young people in your local community who can enjoy the magic of Christmas, and who otherwise may have gone without. Referrals come from reliable sources, so you always know your donations are going to the right place. Please help us spread the word. We’re on facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/renfrewshirechristmastoybank/ or email us on rctb2018@hotmail.com Local Heroes! Is there someone in your community who goes above and beyond? If you’ve heard about any local heroes who need a shout out please let us know. We’d love to hear about them! Please send your news in to info@advertizer.co.uk. Pictures are welcome but we do ask that they be at least 1MB in size, .jpg files, and no smaller than 5cm in width or height. <strong>Gryffe</strong> <strong>Advertizer</strong> | www.advertizer.co.uk Light Up a Life this Christmas St. Vincent’s Hospice are inviting you to celebrate the life of a loved one by making a donation and dedicating a light on their Christmas tree, before joining them for their annual Light Up a Life dedication service on Sunday 24 November at 4.30pm. The annual campaign runs all through the holiday season, giving people the chance to come together, share stories, remember those who have been lost and give the gift of specialist, compassionate care to patients and families who need it most. Commenting on Light Up a Life, Spiritual Care Co-ordinator for St. Vincent’s Hospice, Catherine McGrath said, “Christmas is a time of celebration and sharing, but we know it can also be difficult, especially if you have lost a loved one. Light Up a Life is a way to celebrate their life, by dedicating one of the hundreds of lights on our tree to them, before coming together at the Hospice for an evening of carols, readings, mince pies and hot drinks. “... For some, it brings a sense of peace and joy to be surrounded by others who understand what you are going through. For others, it provides an opportunity to take a moment to reflect on those they have lost. For all, it’s a great way to kick off the Christmas season and help a good cause!” To make a dedication and donation to St. Vincent’s, you can visit their new Light Up a Life Website by visiting: https://events.svh. co.uk/e/18 This year, for the first time, a few moments after you have made your dedication, you will be able to view it and share it with your family and loved ones on our beautiful Night Sky dedication page. You can view, and search all dedications made this year by visiting: https://events.svh.co.uk/dedications/18 Catherine added: “Our dedication event will begin at 4.30pm at the Corseford School, with a candlelit procession along our footpath, ending in the Hospice Courtyard. So wrap up warm and join us as hundreds of lights are lit to shine out this Christmas in memory of those being honoured and remembered.” Please be aware, that due to the large numbers in attendance, only disabled parking is available at the Hospice. Additional parking will be available at Capability Scotland’s Corseford School, with a shuttle bus service available for those who may require it. For more information contact Events@svh.co.uk. Creative Cafe Paisley Art’s Centre are delighted to welcome Kairos Women’s Space to POP SPACE, where they will be hosting their Creative Cafe sessions on Tuesday afternoons from 12 - 2.30pm, running weekly until 10th December. Join them for lunch, laughter and creative fun. All women and non-binary folk welcome to pop in! At POP Space Paisley in the Piazza. 10
e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 November 20<strong>19</strong> 11