Santa's coming with Shelter
A social media campaign has been launched via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram encouraging people to buy presents for homeless children in Scotland this Christmas.
Social Media Santa is now in its third year and last year delivered hundreds of presents to homeless children by working with housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland.
The charity says that more than 4,000 children will be homeless this Christmas across Scotland.
Kind-hearted social media users are being urged to buy presents suitable for boys and girls from the age of six months to 16 years old and either post them or have them delivered directly to Shelter Scotland's office.
Everyone who buys a gift is encouraged to post a photo of it on social media using the hashtag #SocialMediaSanta, and to tag the Shelter Scotland account (@shelterscotland on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter).
Twitter users can make a real difference to homeless children in Scotland this Christmas - Ross McCulloch
Ross McCulloch, director of Third Sector Lab, a specialist digital agency working with charities and social enterprises, is behind the idea.
He said: “Twitter users can make a real difference to homeless children in Scotland this Christmas.
"By sending gifts like books, toys or games, we are hoping that Social Media Santas will help make this Christmas better for hundreds of children and their families across Scotland.”
Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said the campaign would help bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to homeless families and their children.
“No child should be homeless at Christmas but we know there will be more than 4,000 children homeless this festive season across Scotland, so we will carry on our campaigning until there’s a home for everyone.
“Until then, we will always be grateful for the kindness and generosity of fundraisers and members of the public who donate to help our clients."
Donations of presents can be sent to Shelter Scotland, Scotiabank, 6 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AW.
