HALBEATH and Duloch Community Council are supporting Fife Women's Aid this Christmas with a special collection for the charity.

West Fifers are being asked to donate gifts for women and teenagers who are escaping desperate and frightening situations and are in real need of basics such as toiletries, slippers and pyjamas for women or body spray, scarves, gloves and gift vouchers for teenagers.

Dunfermline councillors Billy Pollock and Fay Sinclair have already voiced their support for the campaign and MSP Cara Hilton added: "Most of us look forward to Christmas but for women living with, or fleeing, domestic abuse, Christmas is certainly not the magical experience most of us look forward to.

"For women and children spending the festive period in a refuge, away from their homes, family and friends, Christmas can be a traumatic experience, spent alone and in fear. I’m very pleased Halbeath and Duloch Community Council have launched this fantastic community initiative to help ensure that women and children who have escaped domestic abuse in our community have a present to open on Christmas morning."

The campaign is also being supported by the Dunfermline Advice Hub who are acting as a central Dunfermline drop-off point for donations. Gifts should be donated there or to Dunfermline East Church by Monday.