Decking the halls for a Merry Christmas

Staff and youngsters have been thrilled by the donation.

But lightening that time is the paramount aim of every member of staff at Yorkhill Children’s Charity.

And this year they have a helping hand from one of the UK’s biggest retailers.

Smyths Toy Superstores is giving a donation of almost £7,000, which they have raised by imposing a bag charge on shoppers.

Scotland’s Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead met with eight-ear-old Madeline, a patient at the hospital, and presented her with an early Christmas present — an Our Generation Adjustable Morgan Horse.

Mr Lochhead said: “This is a really wonderful donation from Smyths Toys Superstores to a very worthy cause at a time of year that will be very difficult for many children who have to spend it in hospital.

“It was great to see the look on Madeline’s face when she got her present from Smyths — and even betterwhen I found out how much she loves horses.

“It’s also great to seethe carrier bag charge is helping a good causes.”

Kirsten Sinclair, Director of Fundraising at Yorkhill Children’s Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the staff and customers for their generous donations.

“Five pence doesn’t sound like much but it really adds up, and this money will help us to give the best possible care to the children treated at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow.

“This Christmas we’re asking people to help us raise money for a new 4D cardiac scanner, which will be the first of its kind in the UK.

“The support of companies like Smyths is invaluable in helping us provide enhanced medical equipment like this to the hospital.”

Iain Gulland, of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “The impact of the 5p carrier bag charge stretches even further than helping make Scotland a cleaner and greener place to live and £7million has been donated to good causes throught the country by businesses.”