The Standard’s toy appeal brought a smile to a record-breaking 700-plus children on Christmas morning last year.
And now we are ready to do it all again for over the next few weeks for Christmas 2018.
So let's show once more that Dumfries really can pull together with community spirit.

Ewan and Maureen Fraser have helped us launch the The Dumfries and Galloway Standard’s Christmas Toy Appeal 2018 toy with a generous boost of £500.
Both well-known faces in Dumfries, the community-minded business couple closed their Hardthorn Stores in 2016, ending half a century in the grocery business.
However, while no longer behind the counter, they have kept open their Toll Bar Store running in New Abbey Road, Dumfries, and thanks to 5p’s from the sale of carrier bags and other donations, together with their staff, have got us off to a fine start.
A retired member of Dumfries Lions Club, Ewan has supported the appeal for many years: “It is important that all children get a gift at Christmas and the Standard’s Christmas Toy Appeal strives to do that. We are delighted that the Toll Bar Store can play a part this year and it is a privilege to launch the appeal today.
“Hopefully it will encourage many people to join in.”
Ewan says the store is now raising funds for a defibrillator and would welcome any donations of raffle prizes to be left at the store.
There are just over five weeks to get involved as we strive to make sure that every child – from newborns to 16-year-olds – who are brought to our attention receives a gift.
Most children take it for granted they will get gifts at Christmas but there are also many kids in our region who face waking up to nothing on December 25.
We strongly believe these children also need to feel the spirit of giving that abounds at the festive season.
And we are sure that you – our generous readers – feel the same way.
So please do what you can to help us as we launch the Dumfries and Galloway Standard Christmas Toy Appeal today.
We urge readers to dig deep and donate new toys, sweets or gift cards for under-privileged children. We guarantee every donation will go to children in the region. And we know from the agencies just how much it means to the children who benefit.
But we please ask that you donate a NEW TOY for all ages as second-hand ones will not be accepted and soft toys must have their CE kitemark tags on
And there is no need to wrap.
Thanks to a kind donation from Marks and Spencer we have been given plenty of rolls of wrapping paper.
Iain Pollock, editor of the Standard, added: “Every year our readers amaze us with their generosity, rising to the challenge time and again. Dumfries is a warm, friendly community and our readers always reach out to those in need.
“Sadly there are children who, through no fault of their own, are living in poverty. So please donate what you can. No child should be without a gift at Christmas.”
We will have collection points around Dumfries where toys and sweets can be dropped off until Monday, December 17. Gifts and donations can also be handed in to the Standard office at Park Lane right up until Friday, December 21.
Now we are looking for other organisations, businesses, workplaces, schools and churches in the town to come forward and join in the appeal by donating gifts, cash, or selection boxes.
If you can help, contact Sharon Liptrott by calling 01387 240330 or emailing sharon.liptrott@reachplc.com

Marks and Spencers staff Lynn Paterson, Dawn Chambers and Amanda Johnstone hand over dozens of rolls of Christmas wrapping paper donated to the Standard's Toy Appeal 2018.

Joining in our appeal couldn’t be easier.
We have a number of donation points which all feature our special posters.
Make donations in the boxes at Morrisons, Dumfries; Boots, High Street; Tesco, Cuckoo Bridge; Tesco, Peel Centre; Nationwide Building Society, Church Crescent; The Crichton Trust at Neuro’s Bistro and Spa at Easterbrook Hall; Atwal Stores, Annan.
Some stores have Christmas trees bearing tags with the names and ages of children who will need a gift. Pick a tag and add it to an appropriate gift, then leave it at the tree.
These stores are: Marks and Spencer (coffee shop) in Dumfries and Thomas Tosh, Thornhill.
There is also a tagged tree at Grierson House, on the Crichton Campus, for the university.
Alternatively, hand in toys or selection boxes/ sweets, gift tokens (marked with the amount) or cash to the Standard offices in Park Lane, beside Buccleuch Street Bridge.
Post cheques (marked Toy Appeal) to: Toy Appeal, Dumfries Standard, Park Lane, Dumfries, DG1 2AX, or donate to our account at Bank of Scotland, Dumfries.
The account number is 10856666 and the sort code 80-22-60.