ORGANISERS of a festive event that gives children in one of Glasgow’s most underprivileged areas a present to open at Christmas say the cost of living crisis has left them swamped with pleas for help from desperate families.

Every year Linda Dempster transforms her salon on Stonyhurst Street in Possilpark into a winter wonderland for local children and digs deep into her own pocket to provide a gift or treat for them to enjoy. 

But the 62-year-old says factors like the spiralling cost of food and crippling energy bills have saw demand for places rocket – with over 275 families already signed up to attend. 

The local businesswoman, who grew up in the area, is now facing a crisis and is appealing for help to accommodate more kids and give them a day to remember. 

She has launched an urgent appeal for help finding an authentic Santa Claus to help make this weekend’s festivities a Christmas cracker. 

Friend Sandra Martin, 50, volunteers her time each year to help make the event - which has become an annual staple in Possil – a success. 

Glasgow Times: Sandra, her granddaughter and friend Linda Martin.Sandra, her granddaughter and friend Linda Martin. (Image: Robert Parry)

Sandra explained: “Linda does an incredible job of transforming her premises into Santa’s grotto, it takes about three days of really hard work – but the end result is fabulous. 

“She always wants to give back to the area and this has been something she focuses on every year. There is always a great response, but this time has been unlike anything we’ve experienced. 

“We simply can’t cope with the demand, and it isn’t families just wanting a day out, these are mums, dads, grandparents who are desperate and can’t afford anything else.

"Linda spends about £12 of her own money on every kid who comes through the door, but even she must draw a line somewhere, and the amount of people who are contacting us with really heart-breaking stories of deprivation of poverty this Christmas is awful.” 

Linda has been running the grotto for a number of years in the premises, which is normally home to her popular hairdressing and beauty business. 

As well as allowing local families to put themselves forward for a space, she also accepts referrals from local councillors and MSPs, who often nominate deserving causes. 

Linda said: “Every year we invite children from the community to come and see Santa and each receives a gift, a photo and a visit to Santa's in his magical grotto.

"This year it seems so many more families are experiencing financial hardship and the number approaching us has doubled. We really don't want to exclude any child so are reaching out to see if anyone can contribute to help support this wonderful cause. 

“We are looking for anything really that we can pass on to a family in need.” 

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The pals are also looking for someone to step into Santa’s shoes after the gentleman who previously filled the role sadly passed away. 

Sandra said: “We are willing to pay for the right person, but we want an authentic Santa, someone cheery who will really engage with the children. 

“Again, we realise time is short, but if there is someone out there who reads this and is willing to come forward, we would be over the moon.” 

Linda added: “We have done our best and I can’t wait to welcome the 276 families who are signed up through our doors. But with the help of the community or a perhaps another businessperson we can open extra spaces and try and meet the unprecedented demand that we are facing this year. We run an online crowdfunder which has topped £3000, but we need ever more to meet demand. 

“People don’t realise just how hard the cost-of-living crisis is still biting. People are struggling like never before and if we can help them forget those worries, even for an hour or two, then I’ll be delighted.”