NURSERIES in Inverclyde have hailed a local charity for stepping in to make happy memories for children and support families in need.

Welfare organisation Children in Poverty Inverclyde recently teamed up with Kilmacolm businessman John Laird to give food vouchers to struggling parents following a £3,000 donation from the engineering boss and his family.

CIPI raises money to send hundreds of local children on holiday with their families every year and also donates food vouchers to frontline services like nurseries, health visitors and Women's Aid.

At a handover, nursery staff told the Tele about the strong impact the charity is having.

Glenbrae Children's Centre's Jaclyn Sweeney said: "For us everything is about the children and their wee faces light up when we can go in and give their family a holiday.

"The most important thing is to make memories for children, so they have something to talk about.

"It makes such a difference."

Glenbrae, St Francis' Nursery, St Joseph's Nursery, Aileymill Nursery, Larkfield Children's Centre and Inverclyde Women's Aid shared £1,000 worth of vouchers from John's donation.

St Francis' depute head Carrie Murphy added: "We know that families are struggling and this year we see more situations where parents have lost jobs, people who maybe didn't need help before.

"It is great to be able to help people with vouchers and to offer holidays."

Larkfield Children's Centre were also delighted to benefit from holidays from CIPI and the food vouchers.

Claire Brown from the centre said: "We are so grateful for the charity's support."

St Joseph's Nursery depute head Dorothy McCormick added: "It means such a lot to be able to help parents make memories with the children."

Mr Laird says he is delighted to continue his support for families who need a helping hand.

He added: "It is hard to believe that there are people today who cannot afford to buy food.

"We just want to do what we can as a family to help."