BELOVED Scottish actor David Hayman has pledged his support to the Glasgow Times Toy Bank appeal.

The Fisherman’s Friends star has joined forces with the Glasgow Times through his charity Spirit Aid to help deliver gifts to children across the city who may otherwise go without.

Spirit Aid will serve as one of the Bank on Us campaign drop off points where readers can hand their donations to staff.

The 72-year-old star said: “In the United Kingdom, we’ve got something like four million children living below the poverty line and, in Scotland, we’ve got over 200,000 children. That means they won’t get a Christmas, they won’t get a birthday present, they won’t go see Star Wars, they won’t get an ice cream.

“Christmas is so, so special to every child in our country and the idea that they’ll go without one wee tiny present this Christmas is just heartbreaking.

“Every Christmas we have a Christmas appeal where we have thousands of toys we deliver to all over Glasgow and the west of Scotland.”

Last year, the charity brought gifts to more than 5,000 children across the city and, as the coronavirus pandemic brings financial uncertainty to thousands of people throughout the country, it’s expected demand for this year’s service could be even bigger.

Yesterday, the Glasgow Times revealed its free paper donation bag which is to be filled with new toys and brought to local toy banks - such as Spirit Aid- to help ensure no child wakes up without a gift under the tree on December 25.

The award-winning actor added: “We tend to go more toys donated for girls than for boys.

“Please, I ask everyone, please look deep into your kindness. Whatever you can spare.

“Please put a simple toy into the bag the Glasgow Times will give you, it will go to a very, very needy child and they will be so, so grateful.

“It’ll put a smile on a child’s face, which is fantastic.”

For a full list of donation drop off points, visit the Glasgow Times website.

Alternatively, you can visit our GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/f/glasgow-times-bank-on-us-toy-appeal.