Mortar men from 45 Commando helped bring some pre-Christmas cheer to ill and disadvantaged across Aberdeenshire by helping to sort and deliver presents.
Some 25 Royal Marines from RM Condor in Arbroath headed up the A90 in three vehicles to lend a hand to Cash for Kids, which provides thousands of families across the county with help from clothing vouchers and beds and bedding, to dedicated equipment for youngsters with special needs and a little festive joy in December, dubbed ‘Mission Christmas’.
The charity has received more than 8,000 requests for help this Christmas period and has fulfilled more than 3,000 of them, thanks in part to two days of assistance from 45 Commando.
The marines helped by collecting and dropping off gifts all over Aberdeen and arranging gifts at the charity HQ into age groups, getting them ready to be delivered to the children.
“This was a fantastic opportunity for us to give back to the area,” said Lance Corporal Dan Stewart.
“Our ties with the local communities are really important to us and it’s brilliant to be able to contribute to important charitable causes.
“As an Aberdeen local, it’s a cause especially close to my heart. All the team really enjoyed working on Mission Christmas – Cash for Kids do fantastic work throughout the year and it’s nice to be able to contribute to their efforts.”
With just three staff, the charity relies on volunteers to hand out gifts across Scotland’s fourth largest county.
“We cannot thank the marines from 45 enough for their time and commitment to our campaign – their contribution is invaluable,” said Cash for Kids’ manager Michelle Ferguson.
“They were professional, enthusiastic and extremely efficient.
“This is a huge commitment from them, the volunteers, transport and allowing them off site for two days is wonderful and we cannot thank them enough.”
