PROCAST has delivered over 135 presents to Action for Children North Lanarkshire Young Carers Service.
The organisation identifies and provides support to kids who help to look after someone in their family.
It is the fourth year in a row that Procast, which is based in Hamilton, has made the gesture to support young carers in their local area – some of whom are as young as eight years old.
As with previous years, the firm approached the organisation to ask the youngsters to each write down their Christmas wish and pledged that they would make it come true. The firm said that the aim is to ensure that young people who carry such heavy family responsibilities do not go without a deserved present on Christmas Day.
The gifts were handed over directly to some of the young carers in the company of locality services manager for north and south, Ian Sloan; as well as project team leader (north), Carla Maguire; and young persons practitioner, Jason Lyttle; and as Procast’s Barry Chisholm and Kirstie Adams.
A Procast spokesman said, “We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy a happy and positive childhood and help to guide them into their adulthood and fulfil their potential. This is why we are always eager to help and partner up with Action For children, as these young carers may not have this opportunity at home due to the responsibilities they have of caring for their family members through illness, disability or misuse of drugs or alcohol.
“The service that Action For Carers provides for these kids is second to none and potentially the only respite they have. Plus, they are able to connect with other kids in similar circumstances, while having the chance to lean on the great staff for guidance, particularly the older kids with CV’s etc.
“We are, as always, honoured and humbled to make a small difference. For the past four years, the young carers are given the chance to write a Christmas wish list, which Procast fulfil to the best of our ability. Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when we deliver their presents makes what we do all year worthwhile.”
Carla added, “We really appreciate all of the lovely Christmas gifts that Procast have donated to Action for Children North Lanarkshire Young Carers Project once again. We were overwhelmed by the amount of gifts! All have been specially selected for each young person and have been beautifully wrapped.”
This year, Procast were also able to extend their generosity to more than 90 residents of Home Group at the project they are working on in Cumbria, along with more than 1,000 selection boxes handed out to various local charities and schools.
The company spokesman added, “Our thanks is extended to our subcontractors and suppliers once again, as they very kindly donate to the children year after year – and without them this would not always be possible.”
