Glasgow kids enjoy extra special Christmas Eve with dream gift from Santa
Fifty kids in Glasgow enjoyed an extra special Christmas[1] Eve this year when they were gifted their dream presents from Santa.
Give A Kid A Christmas is the campaign to bring gifts to children in Glasgow who would have woken up to nothing on Christmas morning, run by the incredible Audrey Dempsey of Glasgow’s No1 Baby and Family Support Service[2].
And as well as backing her appeal - alongside us at Glasgow Live - Radisson RED Glasgow’s Curator Graham Chalmers wanted to do something a little bit special.
First, he arranged a Christmas party at the hotel for Audrey to invite families along for a fun day with free food and drinks, entertainment, games and a visit from Santa as well as a caricaturist who drew each child as a souvenir.
Graham and Audrey at the Radisson RED Christmas party (Image: Supplied)
But just like he did last Christmas, Graham asked Audrey to identify 50 kids who could do with a special treat this Christmas – and get them to choose their dream gift from Santa.
Radisson RED then bought the gifts and had Audrey collect them to distribute to grateful parents on Christmas Eve – making festive dreams come true for 50 children across the city.
Audrey said “All the support from Graham, Radisson RED and Ocean Outdoor Media felt like a Christmas miracle to us.
“We were just blown away as no one has ever supported the charity to this level and with this commitment before, from the special gifts to the party and all the support in promoting the campaign with billboards and social media as well as in the hotel.
“This also led to Glasgow Live getting in touch and offering to partner with us on the appeal to help as many people in the city as possible – that’s just incredible.
“Graham even took the time to come into the kids party on his day off to mingle with them all, chatting with parents and playing ball with the kids etc. That means the world to them and to us.
“I love that Graham and the team ‘get it’. I wish it were possible to photocopy them and build more of this kind of support in the city because it’s what our children and families need right now.
“When you have done well in life, it’s very easy to forget how hard it can be for others, but not these guys. They share our passion for change and equality for Glasgow’s children.
“They feel as disgusted as we do that in 2023 there are kids going without to this level and that family struggles increase by the day.
“Instead of just having an opinion about it though, they physically rolled their sleeves up and got involved, helping much more than they will probably understand.
“Graham actually stepped up and did something – and we cannot thank enough all involved for helping us on this mission.”
Radisson RED Glasgow Curator Graham Chalmers said: “The work Audrey does is really inspiring – we first came across her and her team last year and we were blown away by what she did for the children of our city.
“There was only one choice when we wanted to work with a trusted charity for Christmas this year.
“Of course we had to support her Giveakidachristmas appeal, it’s possibly the most deserving cause I’ve seen.
“But as a dad of two young girls, I know what the whole mystery and excitement of Christmas means to them. The highlight of the year is their faces that morning.
“I can’t bear the thought of kids missing out on that, and parents too missing out on the memories.
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“So we wanted to give that to 50 kids, with Audrey’s help. I hope we have helped make the day that bit more magical for them.
“Thanks as always to our owners for supporting us and to the whole team here.
“Without our owners the Forrest Group backing our ideas and being so supportive about giving back to others, we wouldn’t be able to do any of this.
“People support our business all year round and did so through the dark days of Covid so it’s really important to us to support our community and show them we are here to help.
“Thanks most of all to Audrey and the people like her making a difference every day. Merry Christmas everyone.”
References
- ^ Christmas (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
- ^ Glasgow’s No1 Baby and Family Support Service (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
- ^ Airdrie family to feel 'emptiness' in first Christmas without 'light of party' dad (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
- ^ First picture of Rutherglen woman found dead days before Christmas as murder investigation launched (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
- ^ Glasgow Live's Whatsapp Community here (chat.whatsapp.com)