LISTEN: Uddingston cafe to open doors to people in need on Christmas Day
One Uddingston woman is opening up her cafe this Christmas for those who need it most. Visitors to the Jollytots and Cookies in the town's Old Mill Road on Christmas day will be given food and a Christmas presents.
Cafe-owner and grandmother of two, Gail Gillon says anyone is welcome and hopes they will be able to help homeless people and families struggling on low incomes.
Local businesses have rallied round the event offering their services including hair cuts, entertainment and even tanning.
The cafe has also received hundreds of donations of toys, clothes and toiletries for Christmas gifts on the day.
Former mental health nurse Gail - who was born in Castlemilk, Glasgow - revealed she decided to host the special opening after enduring her own tough childhood.
She said: “I had a tough up-bringing in a very much working class family as the youngest of six children. We experienced our fair share of poverty. My father had his own demons and sadly alcohol became his solace.
“My dad was cared for by the Salvation Army. I never really got to know him properly. But the Salvation Army have always stood out for me even just hearing them play in the streets at Christmas can reduce me to tears.
“Every year I normally make a donation or try to do something for a good cause. I was thinking about what I could do this year when I saw their annual Christmas appeal, which is all about reaching out to others less fortunate.
“So I decided to open the café for people who are alone or struggling with money.
“I know what it can be like to live with people affected by addiction. If you are alone at Christmas the sadness can be overwhelming. I just wanted to give something back and help people who were less fortunate and give others nice memories of this time of year.”