THE GLASGOW Times has embarked on a mission to help save Christmas once more as the Bank on Us toy drive returns for its second year.

Following on from last year’s smash success, which helped put gifts under the trees of around 100,000 children across the city, it’s hoped this year’s campaign will be bigger than ever.

A difficult 12 months filled with lockdowns, business closures and job losses, thousands of families are struggling at the thought of ticking off the festive wish list of their children.

However, we are calling on kind-hearted Glaswegians to help us ensure no child goes without on December 25.

As the festive season approaches, charities and toy banks across the country are gearing up to prepare for the holiday rush to help Santa deliver gifts but, another year rocked by coronavirus means they need our help more than ever before.

Stacey Mullen, assistant editor of the Glasgow Times, said: “It seems a long time ago now, but hundreds of charities are still reeling from the effects of the lockdown at the beginning of this year.

“After another year of difficult restrictions and being kept apart from our families, we want to take away that pressure from parents worried about making Christmas special for their children.

“Every child deserves to wake up to a gift under the tree on December 25 and we hope our wonderful readers will help us achieve this goal with the Glasgow Times Bank on Us appeal.”

READ MORE: Hundreds of toys donated to Glasgow Times' Bank On Us appeal

Around a dozen toy banks across the city have partnered with the Glasgow Times to help make Christmas wishes of our city’s most vulnerable young people come true.

They are Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas; West Dubartonshire Community; Spirit Aid; Refuweegee; The GK Experience; Baby Bank Scotland; Home Start Glasgow South; 3D Drumchapel; Salvation Army; and Glasgow’s No1 Baby and Family Support Service.

Toy bank locations are scattered throughout Glasgow – ensuring it’s easy for everyone to drop off their donations – while the Glasgow Times Bath Street and Cambuslang offices will also serve as drop off spots.

Full details of how to donate will be unveiled in the coming days as the beloved paper donation bags are released alongside every copy of the newspaper on Friday, December 3 – just one week from today.

As the country continues to battle Covid-19, all donations made will need to be newly bought gifts for the safety of the children and families we deliver to.

Those who would rather skip the shops can opt for a cash donation via our fundraising page, which will also be live next Friday.

Audrey Dempsey, from Glasgow’s No1 Baby and Family Support Service, in the city’s East End has been working around the clock to help those with young children prepare for the big day.

She said: “We support children and families all year round and see first hand the stress and struggles they face daily.

“To be able to give them a reason to smile at Christmas is magical and without the support of appeals like this, it simply wouldn’t be possible on the scale that is needed so we truly appreciate the support from the Glasgow Times Bank on us appeal and it is the perfect example of the human kindness that still exists in our society.”

Last year, the campaign was a lifeline to tens of thousands of nurseries, schools, charities and families who feared their youngsters would be going without over the festive period.

Speaking earlier this year, Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas Julie Griffin said: “It was amazing. It was our most successful year to date, with more than 18,000 children receiving gifts.

“We had no clue how it would go last year – considering everything going on – but people were really keen to keep supporting the campaign.

READ MORE: Bank On Us Campaign

“It was phenomenal. I can’t tell you how delighted we all are.”

The Bank on Us campaign will be sponsored by the Emmie Smillie Charity, Pandemonium Play Centre and Storage Vault who will help us on our mission to spread festive cheer by saving Christmas for our city’s children.

The popular Erskine play centre will also act as a drop off point for those in the area looking to get involved in the campaign.

A spokesperson for Storage Vault said: “We are absolutely delighted to be involved with the Glasgow Times Bank on Us campaign again this year.”

For full details on where and how to donate, pick up your copy of the Glasgow Times – including your free paper donation bag – on Friday, December 3.

The Glasgow Times GoFundMe page can be found here.