Brechiners and the cathedral city’s surrounding communities have delivered a heartwarming response to a Christmas campaign with its origins in the Cold War.
The organisers of the Angel Tree collection at the cathedral admitted yesterday that they had been “overwhelmed” by the response to an annual gift appeal which will bring a smile to a host of local youngsters this Christmas.
During the years of the US base at nearby Edzell, American servicemen started the festive collection for children whose families may have been struggling to buy gifts.
The military role of the base may be long gone, but the tradition has remained, led by Brechin Cathedral and St Margaret’s Church with a tree placed in the cathedral from which kind-hearted locals can collect a tag and then provide a gift for a local boy or girl.
Former district nurse and well-known local charity campaigner Irene Gillies accepted the latest donations yesterday when youngsters from the town’s Little Friends Nursery and Tesco visited the cathedral and said the scale of this year’s generosity had been amazing.
Irene revealed the Angus effort had even drawn support from the opposite side of the world.
“It all started off with about 25 parcels over the years and it has just grown, but this year we have just been overwhelmed by what people have given,” she said.
The tags on the tree specify whether the gift is for a boy or girl and their age, but even with all of those gone the appeal has been receiving extra presents.
Almost 80 families will be helped, with Irene praising Tesco for matching the response with special festive bags which will be added as stocking fillers for the local youngsters.
Fern, Careston and Menmuir Church added support and Irene said the Angel Tree’s reach had gone far and wide.
“Somebody from Australia has sent money over for a gift and we also had something from someone in Manchester.
“Everyone has been super, it is so much appreciated and it is just great that so many people are showing such kindness at this time of year.
“It’s also very touching for the kids of the nursery to be so community-spirited at such a young age.
“The families who receive these gifts are not looking for anyone coming to their door with a present and I have seen for myself how much they appreciate it,” said Irene.