East end business helps deliver some Christmas cheer to disadvantaged children

A Glasgow business is supporting a major charity this Christmas to help ensure that disadvantaged children will enjoy some festive cheer.

Spectrum Properties, a family-run firm based in Dalmarnock in the east end of the city, has provided office suite accommodation for KidsOut, a charity which runs special outings for disadvantaged children as well as providing boxes of toys for those in refuge throughout the year. This year, it has provided food vouchers to refuge families during lockdown as well as toys and other treats.

The annual KidsOut Giving Tree appeal collects brand new toys, books and other treats from companies and individuals. In Scotland, these items are distributed to children disadvantaged by their circumstances, via the likes of refuges, smaller charities, schools, social services and community groups.

The charity had been lent warehouse premises as a base for its operations in Scotland. Those premises have recently been sold and Spectrum Properties stepped in to offer a business unit at its Abercromby Business Centre in Dalmarnock.

Mairiona McInally-Kier, chief ambassador Scotland for KidsOut, said, “On behalf of the children we will be able to help this coming festive season, I’d like to thank Spectrum Properties very much for its magnificent generosity towards KidsOut. There’s so much uncertainty at the moment that it means the world to be provided with such a fantastic facility to use as a base. We are truly grateful.”

Spectrum Properties MD Bill Roddie added, “Charities such as KidsOut can make all the difference between a sad and lonely Christmas and one with smiles, fun, surprises and laughter. In Scotland, the charity is run entirely by volunteers and their unstinting efforts have affected many thousands of lives over the years, so we are delighted to make this small contribution which will help them to carry out their most worthwhile mission.”