More than 750 kids across the region will receive presents this year thanks to donations from locals. Thousands of toys, books, sweets and gift vouchers were handed in to libraries over the course of four weeks as part of the North Ayrshire Christmas Gift Appeal. The donations were divided into age categories by the Connected Communities team, before being packaged up to be delivered to the children. Provost Ian Clarkson hailed the efforts of locals and said the donations would make a great difference to the families receiving them. He said: “To say I am blown away by the generosity of North Ayrshire’s communities would be a complete understatement. Nothing could have prepared me for the enormous quantity of donations I witnessed.
As the festive season approaches, Child Protection Committees Scotland and North Ayrshire Child Protection Committee are encouraging everyone to keep their eyes and ears open for children who may be experiencing harm over the holidays. Coping with the pandemic has been challenging for everyone, but some families will have been under more strain than others. Parents who were struggling to cope before coronavirus may have been pushed to crisis point during this year, and the festive season can put some families under even more pressure. Sadly, some children and young people will experience neglect or abuse. As restrictions ease over Christmas, everyone in North Ayrshire should be alert to signs that all is not well for a child or young person. John Paterson, Chair of North Ayrshire Child Protection Committee, is asking everyone to help keep young people safe.
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Social care chiefs refused to comment after woman s abuser was convicted for behaviour to her and kids A DOMESTIC abuse victim claims social workers stole her kids while she fled her partner – after expressing fears of her children going into care. The woman – who we have not named to protect the identity of her children – told how North Ayrshire social workers removed the children from her when she reached out to authorities after years of abuse. After freeing herself from her ex, the woman, who suffers physical health problems, told the Times social services still have her three youngest kids – after their father was convicted of threatening and abusive behaviour to them and assaulting one with a blade.