AN INVERCLYDE charity fighting for families living in poverty has launched its Christmas campaign - amid warnings that this winter could be even worse than the last for struggling families.

The team at Children in Poverty Inverclyde are once again making sure no child wakes up on Christmas Day without presents under the tree.

They aim to deliver more than 500 toys and gifts to the area's most vulnerable families through their close links with schools, nurseries and frontline social work services.

Charity chairman Pat Burke says this winter is shaping up to be one of the worst on record for both the very youngest and oldest.

Pat said: "The two child benefit cap and removal of the winter fuel payment for pensioners will be pretty desperate for many at Christmas.

"Indeed, this week, when in the community, I have seen some pretty awful things.

"We are getting drawn further and further into providing beds, carpets, food and clothing vouchers, which of course other agencies are set up to do."

This year the charity is bringing the deadline for their toys forward to November 22 to allow them to relieve financial pressures earlier.

Pat added: "In the past, it has been the fortnight or week leading to Christmas, which really is too late, as families might have gone into unnecessary debt or family loans by then."

The charity looks set to donate around 600 toys thanks to the generosity of businesses and regular donors, which will be passed on to the most vulnerable families. 

They are also taking cash donations to help with providing winter clothing, food vouchers and fuel cards.

Children in Poverty Inverclyde supports families throughout the year including sending hundreds of families on holidays they would not otherwise be able to afford.

They recently donated 100 tickets to local schools, nurseries and frontline social work services to see a performance of Treasure Island at the Beacon Arts Centre.

Joe McAllister, one of the charity's trustees, said: "It's important that we continue to reach out to children in families whose parents otherwise could not afford to treat their kids on such outings.

"It brings big smiles to small faces, and that in itself is of great comfort to our committee and our generous supporters."

Representatives from Rainbow PG, Aileymill, Moorfoot, Craigmarloch and Inverclyde HSCP were given tickets to see the recent show, with the Children in Poverty Inverclyde team thanking the Beacon for their support with the intiative.

Teachers and pupils from nurseries and schools including Moorfoot Primary turned up to say thanks to the charity for their support.

Carrie Murphy, head of the Rainbow Family Centre in Port Glasgow, said: "This wonderful donation is hugely welcomed by our families and shall  be great fun for their children at The Beacon.

"We are very grateful to this popular children's charity for such continued
support."

Anyone who wishes to donate cash to the Christmas appeal can visit their dedicated Just Giving page at justgiving.com/cipinverclyde.

To contact Children in Poverty Inverclyde or find out more about their work, visit www.childreninpovertyinverclyde.org.uk.