Special Santas ready at station

South West Community Cycles (SWCC) is asking for donations from local folk to help out those less fortunate prior to Christmas.

Project director Alyson Tanahill said: “Many families face this time of year in dire circumstances and are very worried about the financial impact of Christmas.

“If SWCC can make a difference to just one child through this Santa drop, the effort will be worthwhile. Please give generously.”

The idea is to buy and wrap a gift, label it for boy or girl, before dropping it off at South West Community Cycle base at Pollokshaws West train station.

The group would also appreciate some indication as to which age range the gift is meant for.

In return, you will be given a tuour around the city’s oldest, pre 1850 operational rail station building which has recently benefitted from a £760,000 restorational investment.

SWCC actively supports the sustainable transport agenda and encurages a reduction in car use coupled with an increase in the cycling habits of the people of the West of Scotland.

All Christmas gifts will be donated to Priesthill Youth Club on December 20 and given out to the children.

SWCC ‘adopted’ Pollokshaws West train station through ScotRail’s Adopt-a-Station programme and saved it from dilapidation with the help of a grant.

The building was painstakingly refurbished by the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.

It reopened in the summer and is now a key resource in Pollokshaws where people can go to have their cycles repaired, bicycles can be locked up if safety and people can hire bikes at a low cost.

The Victorian building now presents itself as something of a local hub for people to meet up in a mre social setting.

The cycling group is in the process of adopting further stations at Priesthill and Darnley.