MORE than one quarter of children in South Ayrshire are living in poverty, with this figure rising to one in three in some areas. 

MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, Corri Wilson is calling on residents to help make Christmas special for some of the poorest children, opening her office to donations of toys for Christmas this week.

She said: “No child should wake up on Christmas morning to find Santa hasn’t visited just because their family can’t afford it.

She added: “The rise in food bank use across Ayrshire has been an issue for some time now.  Hard up families are struggling to put food on the table as cuts in benefits, zero hour contracts and low wages all conspire to making raising children a real challenge for many.  “Add in the stress of trying to find money for gifts and stocking fillers and it is easy to reach breaking point.”

The MP is asking families to consider donating unused and neglected toys that are still in good condition for other children to enjoy.

Donations can be dropped off at the Constituency Office at 45a Fort Street in Ayr, between 10am  and 4pm, Monday to Friday, until 7 December.  All donations will be passed on to South Ayrshire Foodbank for sorting and distribution across the area.