Tears and smiles as Kirkcaldy community centre delivers Christmas cheer

Linton Lane Centre in Templehall has also had a very challenging year, as the centre fought to remain open during lockdown to help some of the most vulnerable in the community.

Mandy Henderson, centre manager, said: “Santa flew over the centre on the 13th making 100 children very happy. He brought the snow with him, a gift for every child along with an orange and an apple.

"It was so good that this event was held as there had been so little opportunities for children to see Santa this year.

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"This event was supported by the Kirkcaldy Masonic Lodges as in previous years they have held a children's party and wanted to ensure an event was held this year for the kids.

“The following Wednesday we had a lunch for senior citizens and our Nifty Fifties group, 14 members attended the meal which was provided by Giovanni's restaurant with funding from Age Scotland.

"It was wonderful to be able to see everyone again, share a meal, and ending with a Christmas quiz. Everyone who came said it was good to see faces again - one lady said it was the first time she had put lipstick on since March!

“Mutch Exercise came along and provided a bacon roll plus tea and coffee on the 18th for everyone attending the foodbank. Trotters Condiments came along with soup on the 22nd for people attending the foodbank, and for anyone who wanted to pop in and take some home with them. This was in partnership with Nourish whose families attended and enjoyed some delicious hot soup.”

As well as the events held at the centre, 200 Christmas hampers were also delivered to people in the community.

“In partnership with Raith Rovers Community Foundation, Newcraigs Church, Hosting Hope, Foundation Scotland, and Age Scotland, we delivered 200 hampers in the Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, and Burntisland areas,” Mandy adds.

"The hampers were delivered by volunteers on Christmas Eve. Morrisons were amazing, we put an order in for several items and when we went to collect they had bagged all the items into 200 hamper bags with ribbons tied on the handles.

"Laura Collins is the Community Champion at Morrison's and her hard work is very much appreciated.”

All of the centre’s hard work paid off as it was able to provide some joy to people who have been shielding since the start of lockdown in March.

“I had a phone call from a lady who said she must have been delivered one by mistake, I told her it wasn’t and we just wanted to spread the meaning of Christmas, and to let her know she was being thought of and people cared.

“A daughter also messaged to say her mum had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and receiving the hamper had cheered her mum up.

"There was a lot of tears with smiles on doorsteps, one of our volunteers had said it made their Christmas seeing people's faces light up.”

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