Festival Essentials campaign helps local families

The campaign aimed to provide every adult who accessed West Lothian Foodbank over the festive period with a goodie bag filled with toiletries.

Thanks to the kind donations of the public, local businesses and council staff, a total of 212 gifts bags full of toiletries were delivered to the Foodbank this year.

Collections points were set up at council premises around West Lothian to allow people to donate items such as toiletry gift sets, face cloths/sponges and other useful items.

Pupils and staff at Armadale Academy volunteered to make up the gift bags with feedback from pupils including: "I enjoyed making the baskets for our local community."; and "This has made me feel happy to help people in need."

Depute Council Leader Kirsteen Sullivan said: "A huge thank you to everyone who made the Festive Essentials campaign a huge success this year.

"To fill over 200 gifts bags is an amazing achievement and shows the compassion from local residents towards those who need extra support over Christmas.

"Special thanks to all the staff in the council's Advice Shop who coordinated the campaign, pupils and staff at Armadale Academy who made up the gifts bags, and local businesses, Amberstone Securities & Enviraz (Scotland) Ltd, for their support."

If you would like to support the campaign this year, please get in touch with the council's Anti-Poverty Service by emailing advice.shop@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window).

If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to discuss your options, then please contact the Advice Shop on 01506 283000.