My dear friends and supporters of Kilbryde.

Today, due to the Scottish Governments local protection levels, and South Lanarkshire moving to level 4, our retail stores located within Princess Square, East Kilbride Shopping Centre and New Cross Shopping Centre in Hamilton will be closed.

We are however delighted that our furniture stores located within The Plaza, East Kilbride Shopping Centre and our flagship store at Kingsgate East Kilbride will remain open. We are sincerely grateful for all your custom since we re-opened in June of this year and hope that you will continue to support us at through the stores that remain open.

This 3-week closure to some of our stores will see our retail income decrease considerably alongside our fundraising income as we have had no events since February.

On the upside, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas folks, and we are all beginning our festive preparations. These preparations could also give us all an opportunity to support the hospice get through this period.

Here are a few things we had in mind!

Light A Light appeal

Our Light A Light appeal is a very special way to remember the life of someone close to you at Christmas, young or old, with a beautiful dedication to them whilst helping to provide care for another family facing the most difficult of times.

Our Virtual light a light ceremony will take place at 7:00pm on the 11th of December and you are all welcome to join us. We will be live on Facebook or you can join us through the link on the front page of our website available from 6.45pm without needing a Facebook login. Again all of this information is available at www.kilbrydehospice.org.uk

You could help through buying our Christmas cards

Our Christmas cards are now on-sale and available on-line or within our retail stores that are open. With a range of designs, to suit all tastes and priced at just £5.00 for a pack of 10 complete with envelopes. Show your loved ones you care this Christmas, whilst supporting Kilbryde.

Buy your stocking fillers

Struggling to find the perfect present for the stocking without spending a fortune? We have 2021 Diaries and lots of goodies within our Kingsgate store that will bring a Christmas morning smile. Coming soon is our Kilbryde branded facemasks which will be available on-line and again within our shops that are open

Hold a Christmas quiz

Get your thinking cap on and come up with a festive themed quiz, either for a work or virtual social gathering. Ask entrants to pay a small amount to play, the winner will then win half the money, with the other half being donated to Kilbryde?

Once again, I call on families and friends to have a Level 4 challenge. Santa’s on the Run folks. Are you Looking for some outdoor exercise for all the family? Why not enter our Physically distanced Santa Dash on Saturday 12 or Sunday 13 December. This is a festive family fun 2.5 or 5k run or walk suitable for all ages. All the details are again available at www.kibrydehospice.org.uk Lets face it right now you can do this challenge at any time that suits you.

I am delighted to kick the fundraising off once again with an online Home Christmas Cabaret show with Rayanne McHugh on Saturday 5 December from 8pm. Why not look out the Glad Rags, order a nice meal and pop open some prosecco and let us dance the night away.

Gordon McHugh

Chief Executive