COMMUNITIES RALLIED round to ensure Christmas was not cancelled for the families worst affected by the recent flooding.
Stonehaven suffered terrible flooding on Sunday after the River Carron burst its banks and 40 people had to be rescued from their homes by boat as the water level reached waist height.
All the people made homeless have found alternative accommodation, but several children faced the heartbreaking prospect of waking up with nothing yesterday after their gifts were ruined.
However, local folk summed up the spirit of the season by donating more than £10,000-worth of presents, food, old clothes and furniture.
The drop-off point was the Royal Hotel but the town hall eventually had to be opened to deal with the overwhelming generosity shown by residents and businesses.
Stonehaven mum-of-two Amy Muir was so upset she appealed to everyone she knew on Facebook to donate unwanted clothes, spare food and gifts to help the stricken residents.
Amy, who is originally from Huntly, also got her whole family involved. They knocked on doors and phoned businesses in a bid to help the relief effort.
Once again, people did not disappoint and less than 24 hours after her heartfelt appeal, a van packed with hundreds of items was en-route to the town hall to be distributed to the evacuees.
Amy said: “We were determined that Santa would arrive on Christmas Day for these kids.”
gstrachan@dcthomson.co.uk
For further coverage of the flood aftermath, see Wednesday’s Courier or try our new digital edition.