Stewart Milne Homes has joined forces with local charity, Instant Neighbour, to help drive its annual Giving Tree Appeal and ensure every child across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has a gift to open on Christmas Day.

Launching on 17^th November, in its 19th year, Instant Neighbour’s Giving Tree Appeal is encouraging people across the region to add just one more name to the Christmas list and help vulnerable, low income families amongst the community celebrate the festive holiday.

This year, for the first time, Stewart Milne Homes will be hosting additional Giving Trees at various showhomes to offer wider accessibility and encourage greater participation in the appeal.

People now have the option to collect name tags and drop off gifts at Leathan Fields in Portlethen, Kepplestone in Aberdeen and Wellside Brae in Kemnay. Donations can either be made for an individual child, as detailed on the Instant Neighbour gift cards available at all locations, or anonymously by simply detailing the suitable gender and age group of the gift. 

Commenting on the Giving Tree Appeal, Sophy Copland, Instant Neighbour chief executive, said: “Christmas is an especially difficult time for many of the families we work with across Aberdeen. With the Giving Tree Appeal we aim to ease some of the pressures faced and ensure children and young people can enjoy some of the special qualities of this time of year.

“We are delighted to be working with Stewart Milne Homes this year and hope the new Giving Tree locations will give people more chances to donate and help us meet our much needed target this year.” 

Specially chosen for the appeal, the three showhomes across Aberdeenshire will be the first in Scotland to take part in such an initiative. Sales director of Stewart Milne Homes North Scotland, Mike Cowie, said: “The new partnership with Instant Neighbour’s Giving Tree Appeal gives us a great opportunity to utilise our showhomes for a truly worthwhile cause and the team has already pledged to donate the first gifts. We really hope we can encourage others to get involved with the campaign this year and help more families across Aberdeen enjoy Christmas.” 

Stewart Milne Homes will be hosting an additional Giving Tree at its headquarters in Westhill to enable more of its employees to take part.

For information regarding Stewart Milne Homes’ Giving Tree showhomes, contact 01224 747400 or email sales@stewartmilne.com.

For further details on the annual Giving Tree Appeal, visit www.instantneighbour.co.uk

27 October 2009