Allied Vehicles staff give underprivileged Glasgow youngsters 500 bags of Christmas gifts

shared on behalf of Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust

Santa’s sleigh bells have been ringing throughout Glasgow as festive elves stored up hundreds of Christmas gifts for disadvantaged youngsters.

Staff from Allied Vehicles, along with the company’s Charitable Trust, have donated almost 500 bags of Christmas presents to the Health and Social Care Partnership premises in Possilpark.

The company has a workforce of almost 600 in Possilpark, who have given generously to charities in the past.

Earlier this year Allied launched the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust to channel all their charity efforts giving £10,000 a month to good causes.

Company owner Gerry Facenna and the Trust committee members this month voted to buy £4,500 worth of gifts for underprivileged children and these, together with presents staff bought themselves, and staff fundraising has meant the gifts have all now been delivered to social work staff.

“The generosity of Allied has been overwhelming,” said Karen Russell, from the Social Work department in Possilpark. So many of our families and young people are struggling more than ever this year and to be able to help with so many amazing gifts has been fantastic.

“Such a difference has been made and we are so grateful for the support.”

Gerry was born and raised in Possilpark and remains committed to the local community.

His company also lit up the area by sponsoring the Christmas tree and associated lighting at Saracen Cross, along with ng homes and members of Possilpark Business Improvement District (BID).

Gerry said: “It’s all too easy for people to forget there are others who are less fortunate than themselves, especially at this time of year.

“So, we had no hesitation in using the Trust’s funding to bring a bit of a smile to the faces of youngsters who might have gone without this Christmas.”

AVCT has also given £2,000 to St Cuthbert’s Primary School in Ruchill to take pupils to the panto after they were told a visit to a local show could not go ahead.

And a festive outing for the 212th Glasgow Boys Brigade in Bishopbriggs, will also go ahead thanks to a £300 donation after the pandemic put paid to their fundraising efforts, and parents were hit with the rising cost of living.

Their captain, Linda Ritchie, said: “Every year we aim to give the boys a fun time at Christmas. This year we have arranged a panto visit, Laser Planet and parties. Thank you so much for your support. This will help enormously to give our boys a fantastic Christmas experience.”