A Christmas gift appeal across the north-east’s two biggest towns gathered more than 3,000 gifts for vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
The annual Peterhead and Fraserburgh Gift Tree campaign encourages locals to buy and donate extra presents or food for families facing a bleak winter.
This year, in excess of 3,000 gifts were given and more than 360 hampers of food were provided.
Despite challenging economic circumstances in both towns, organisers said that the public generosity reached “new levels” in 2015 and ensured the campaign was the most successful to date.
Ken Duncan, from Peterhead Projects’ Here For You Partnership, said: “This year the appeal has provided support for more than 1,000 children, young adults and families across Buchan and we cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity.
“From schools to churches, businesses to members of the public, everyone has rallied to the Gift Tree Appeal and have helped so many people requiring a bit of extra assistance this festive season.”
Mr Duncan praised the local and regional businesses and organisations which took part in the scheme, including logistics firm Asco, JBS Engineering, fish-processing company Mapco as well as local branches of Iceland supermarket and Subway.
He added: “Once again HMP and YOI Grampian provided sterling service in the boxing of our hampers and on behalf of everyone at the Gift Tree I would like to thank industries officer Iain Craig and the inmates for their tremendous input.”
The Gift Tree parcel appeal encourages members of the public to pluck a gift tag from trees in shops around the towns and buy an extra gift worth up to £10 for a child. This could be a toy, book, game, clothing, toiletries or local gift cards.
Peterhead Projects recognises that some local families “need a little extra support” over the holiday period, and works with referral partners to reach out to those most at risk.
Mr Duncan and his team have thanked the members of staff from Aberdeenshire Council, the local community centres, volunteers from Strichen and Ellon foodbanks as well as social workers who took part in the appeal.