Kilmarnock charity Hillhouse has received donations from Scotmid Co-operative and Semichem to support its work with individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.
A Scotmid Community Grant of £500 will be used to purchase baby clothes, while Semichem is further providing a range of baby toiletries to create 133 baby starter packs or ‘Bairns Boxes’, which will be made available to service users.
Sarah Hall, Business Development manager for Hillhouse, said: “We are delighted to receive this award from Scotmid, which will enable us to distribute many more ‘Bairns Boxes’ to new parents living in Ayrshire. The donation of toiletries from Semichem is a huge boost to a local independent organisation which is celebrating its 40th year.”
Gavin Randell, Operations Director for Semichem and a member of Scotmid Co-operative West Regional Committee, said “We are pleased that our family of businesses had the opportunity to come together to make this donation to Hillhouse as it works to supply people in the Kilmarnock area with much needed items.”
“Our community grant scheme is one of the ways that we give back to local areas and it is a true pleasure to help. We hope that these baby starter packs will make a difference to those who need it most.”
Hillhouse is a unique social enterprise in Ayrshire working to support families experiencing financial hardship by offering practical support to make a positive difference in their lives. The charity provides children’s clothing, toys, equipment and baby starter packs (or ‘Bairns Boxes’) free of charge.
Hillhouse is the sole resource of its kind in Scotland and its unique status means that the charity fills a significant gap in service provision to its beneficiaries at a time when they are most in need. The support offered by Hillhouse provides families with a much needed break at a difficult time.
Scotmid donates around a quarter of a million pounds to local causes through its community grant scheme each year. Applications are encouraged for projects that support; children and education, active lifestyles, the environment, health promotion, the elderly, social inclusion, Fairtrade, arts and culture, and charity.
For more information about Hillhouse, visit http://hillhousecareandcollect.co.uk.