THE Press has teamed up with Dunfermline Foodbank as we launch our Christmas appeal this week.

We're asking readers to support our Toy Appeal that will allow West Fife kids to get a gift this Christmas.

ExxonMobil have kindly supported this year's appeal which will give families who need it an extra helping hand and, with the cost-of-living crisis, they need help now more that ever.

This year, the Dunfermline Foodbank will be accepting generous donations from our readers and distributing the gifts.

Sandra Beveridge, project manager at Dunfermline Foodbank, said: “We’re extremely grateful to Exxon Mobil and the Dunfermline Press for doing this for us. Everybody deserves a wee gift at Christmas time, it’s something that we do every year anyway so we know that it will go down really well, especially this year.

“It’s a hard time for everybody this year. Despite the economic crisis going on, the community of West Fife are still stepping up and helping their neighbours and those in need. It’s very humbling to see and feel such humanity.”

This year, the Press is asking that, if you can, you purchase a small gift to donate to the appeal which will then be given out to those who are referred to the Foodbank along with their usual food parcels.

She continued: “In the month of December, in all five West Fife Foodbanks, everybody that’s referred to us gets a wee gift. The gifts will go a long way to making a lot of people happy and it’s just special isn’t it, to be given a little gift.

“Everybody is struggling, it’s been a tough year and it’s going to be a tough winter and that just makes it more special, when our clients get given a little gift. We can’t thank everyone enough for doing this for us, we’re extremely grateful.”

Press editor Simon Harris said: "The Press is at the heart of the West Fife community we are privileged to serve and we want to help those in our communities who may have fallen on hard times at this special time of year.

"Last year, we were blown away by the generosity of our readers and I know that, with the community spirit that we have seen in West Fife throughout and since the coronavirus pandemic, they will help those who might otherwise miss out."

With the cost-of-living crisis worsening and the colder temperatures beginning to bite, families may have to make tough choices on where they spend their money. By donating, you could ensure that a child, who would have gone without, gets to open at least one gift from Santa this year.

ExxonMobil have generously supported this year's toy appeal. Tom Antram, community liaison for the company, said: "As a long-standing part of the Fife community, ExxonMobil’s Fife Ethylene Plant has a strong history of providing a helping hand wherever we can.

"Our team is committed to supporting the communities of Fife. Not only is this where we work but it’s also where most of our colleagues live.

"The Dunfermline Press share our dedication to serve the people of Fife. We have been inspired by the work they and their readers have done with previous appeals and we are thrilled to be working together to bring some much-needed Christmas magic this year.

"We are proud to be continuing this tradition by partnering with Dunfermline Foodbank for this year’s Dunfermline Press Christmas Appeal.

"This is an incredibly challenging time for many and we hope to make life a little easier for families across Fife this Christmas and give a little festive sparkle to those who most need it.

"No parent should be faced with having to decide whether to put food on the table or buy your child a toy for Christmas. The festive period is meant to be a time filled with peace and joy. By donating a toy, you can make sure that no child wakes up on Christmas day without a present under the tree."

Anyone who would like to donate to this year's Christmas Toy Appeal can do so by dropping their gift bag off at the Dunfermline Foodbank warehouse located in Unit 1C Pitreavie Business Park on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 4-6pm.

Throughout December, the Foodbank will be open outwith these hours and readers are encouraged to call Sandra on 07580 231286 to find out when they can go along to drop off their donations.