Children from disadvantaged households in North Glasgow will wake up to a Christmas gift this year, thanks to the efforts of Allied Vehicles and its staff. Presents numbering almost 600 were delivered to the Possilpark Mansion Street North Glasgow Social Work office, ensuring festive cheer reaches families in need.
This year, Allied staff contributed over 150 gifts, with donations coming from every part of the business. To meet the pledge of nearly 600 presents, the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust provided the remaining 441 gifts, ensuring no child in the area would be left out.
In addition to their generosity, Allied staff volunteered their time to help sort, pack, and transport the gifts. Their hands-on involvement added a personal touch to this year’s donation, highlighting the company’s commitment to supporting the local community where its founder, Gerry Facenna, grew up and started Allied Vehicles.
Steven Frize, Yard and Valet Coordinator at Allied was one of many staff who pitched in on the day, and said:
"The feeling of packing the gifts, helping load the van and then dropping those gifts off at the social work was amazing. I feel like I've done something really positive today for the community".
Gerry Facenna, founder and owner of Allied Vehicles Group, said:
“The Directors and I are immensely proud of the generosity and community spirit shown by staff at Allied. Christmas is a time for giving, and it’s heartening to see so many of our people come together to make a difference for children in this community."
This is the seventh year Allied has partnered with Glasgow Spirit of Christmas, pledging gifts to children who might otherwise receive nothing.
Karen Russell, Team Leader at the Possilpark Mansion Street North Glasgow Social Work thanked Allied staff, saying:
“We are so grateful for the amazing generosity of Allied Vehicles every year. Our families are so grateful for all the gifts and the difference it makes at what can be a difficult time of year. We are so appreciative of the kindness and thoughtfulness of all the staff. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Following the donation of gifts to Spirit of Christmas, Allied also partnered with local housing group ng Homes and the Possilpark Business Improvement District to provide the lights and Christmas tree in the area’s Saracen Street.
