Kilwinning volunteer Michael Kirkum is launching his seventh Christmas appeal for children in hospital – and with the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s is more important than ever.

Many children who will be spending the festive season in Crosshouse Hospital could be unable to see their parents on Christmas Day due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Michael wants to do all he can to make their day a little bit brighter.

And once again, he has appealed for kind hearted locals to donate selection boxes, toys, board games and activity books to give the kids a really special Christmas Day.

He said: “We have been organising this since 2013, but it is going to be harder because of COVID this year.

“We won’t have as many drop-off points and everything will have to be cleaned and stored for days before going to hospital. Asda in Irvine are once again helping us, with a trolley there to make donations.

“That was very successful last year, when we donated more than 800 boxes.

“Billy Frew’s barbers in Bank Street, Irvine are also helping out again as a drop-off site.

“Donations are really required this year because of the coronavirus restrictions. Some of the kids will be in wards where their parents can’t even visit them.

“With COVID, there’s no question it will be harder for them.

“A selection box, board game or activity book will be a bigger treat for them than ever before.

To find out more or to donate, you can contact Michael on 07849 015180 or his son on 07534 381392.