Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Aberdeen charity launches Cosy Up appeal to help families this winter

The Aberdeen charity Home Start has launched the Cosy up for Christmas appeal. Image: Home Start.
The Aberdeen charity Home Start has launched the Cosy up for Christmas appeal. Image: Home Start.

An Aberdeen charity is asking for help to ensure children don’t go without this winter.

Home-Start Aberdeen’s Cosy Up for Christmas appeal aims to help struggling families, by providing new warm coats, pyjamas, toys and books.

The charity supports about 200 families every year, and more than 300 children aged up to five.

But the cost-of-living crisis means demand has soared, and the charity is urging individuals and businesses to help meet those cries for help this winter.

General manager Eleanor McEwan said: “Many of the families we help rely on second hand clothing and toys throughout the year, particularly in the current economic climate which has forced the price of many everyday items out of reach.

“Our Cosy Up for Christmas appeal is about providing something new for families who are struggling this winter – from cosy coats and warm pyjamas to new toys and books.”

Cosy Up packs will make ‘big difference’

Home-Start Aberdeen, which has been helping prevent family crisis and breakdown for more than 30 years, is appealing for the following donations:

  • New warm coats for ages 1-5 years
  • New all-in-one winter suits for ages 0-1
  • New pyjamas and sleep suits for ages 0-5
  • New book for ages 0-5 years
  • New toys for ages 0-5 years

Donations can be made up until November 18, which will allow the staff and volunteers time to arrange the Cosy Up packs and deliver them for Christmas.

To get involved, drop off your donations at the Home-Start charity shop at 101 George Street.

Mrs McEwan added: “Receiving these items will make a big difference for local families at Christmas and during the cold winter months.

“We would appreciate any donation – large or small, you will be helping us create the Christmas every child deserves with your gift.”

How else can you help?

Last month, the charity launched a search for more trustees to join its board.

The charity is seeking individuals who hold different expertise so they can help even more families as demand continues to rise.

Families supported by Home-Start Aberdeen have at least one child under the age of five and are typically affected by social isolation, bereavement, relationship problems, illness, disability or financial hardship.

Home-Start has said professionals from a range of backgrounds including financial, legal, retail, commercial, IT or HR would be “invaluable” to provide additional guidance.

Those involved would only be required to attend six meetings a year. To find out more, e-mail chair@homestartaberdeen.org.uk

Conversation