Local children in Edinburgh are wrapped-up and warm this winter – after receiving a sackful of clothes from the Cosy Kids Campaign.
Helpers from the campaign visited The Hailesland Early Years Centre in Wester Hailes last week to drop-off a gift-wrapped parcel of jackets, jumpers, scarfs and woolly hats.
The Cosy Kids Campaign has been established by Bedrock, a charity set-up to support children to have the best possible start in life.
The initiative has been launched in response to figures from Save the Children that show one in five children in Scotland live in poverty, with 14 per cent of them without at least one winter coat.
Over 20 businesses across Scotland have already signed-up to collect and donate clothing, which is distributed to early years services and welfare departments throughout the country.
The campaign has already supported 219 children from Edinburgh with warm winter clothes and 360 across Scotland, with plans to reach 800 by the end of January.
Kirsty Douglas, operations manager at Bedrock, has been overwhelmed by the success of the heart-warming campaign.
She said: “It important for children to be able to play outside during the winter months – sadly sometimes kids don’t have the necessary clothing to do so.
“For us it has been a privilege to meet with the children and staff at the Hailesland Early Years Centre, and to help the group make a difference and improve the lives of children this winter.
“I’d also like to recognise all the organisations that have collected an amazing volume of clothing for us – it is truly heart-warming to know that so many people care.”
The Hailesland Early Years Centre is committed to promoting the welfare and early learning of children and their families based in the Wester Hailes area, where there are often high levels of poverty.
Head of the centre, Moira McGachan, has thanked the Cosy Kids Campaign for warming-up the winter of all the kids who access its services.
She said: “So many of the children who attend our group don’t have the necessary clothing to keep them warm and dry during the winter.
“We are extremely grateful to the Cosy Kids Campaign for its support and goodwill, allowing our children to step outside and play during this fun and special time of the year.”
Bedrock will be hosting their next clothing collection event at Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow on the 14th and 15th of January. Members of the public are invited to attend to meet the team, and drop off any donations towards the campaign.
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