In 2010, the Aberdeenshire community helped spread the Christmas spirit to over 6,000 vulnerable families and children across the region with local charity, Instant Neighbour.

One of the best years in the Appeal’s 20 year history, this unprecedented generosity has inspired the charity to take the Giving Tree initiative even wider, in partnership with Scottish housebuilder, Stewart Milne Homes.

For the last two years, Stewart Milne Homes has been working with the charity to help extend its reach, converting its showhomes across Aberdeenshire into Giving Tree locations. This year, Giving Trees will be hosted in another two new locations, Alford and Mugiemoss, offering more communities the opportunity to get involved.

People now have the option to collect name tags and drop off gifts at the new Vision development near Mugiemoss; Silver Birches in Alford; Wellside Brae in Kemnay; Leathan Fields in Portlethen; and Stewart Milne Homes’ HQ in Westhill.

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Instant Neighbour is a voluntary organisation providing practical support to the 1 in 10 individuals living in deprivation across Aberdeen and Shire. Now in its 21st year, the annual Giving Tree Appeal strives to help vulnerable, low income families amongst the community celebrate the festive holiday; encouraging people across the region to add just one more name to the Christmas list and ensure every child has a gift to open on Christmas Day.

Commenting on this year’s Giving Tree Appeal, Instant Neighbour chief executive, Scott Baxter, said: “Christmas is an especially difficult time for many of the families we work with across Aberdeen. With the Giving Tree Appeal we aim to ease some of the pressures faced and ensure children and young people can enjoy some of the special qualities of this time of year.

“The partnership with Stewart Milne Homes has worked really well for the Appeal. Its wide spread of developments has enabled us to reach so much more of Aberdeenshire, particularly residential areas, which is ideal.”

Mike Cowie, sales director of Stewart Milne Homes North Scotland, said: “Each year, we experience a remarkably enthusiastic response toward the Giving Tree initiative from the residents and local communities of our developments and our employees. We are really excited to be extending the Appeal to new locations this year and urge everyone to add just one more gift to their Christmas shopping list to help spread the festive spirit even further this year.

“All of our Giving Tree locations are now open. Donations can either be made for an individual child, as detailed on the Instant Neighbour gift cards available at all locations, or anonymously by simply detailing the suitable gender and age group of the gift.”

(GK)