The local branch of Save the Children held its annual Christmas gift auction recently at the Helensburgh home of Moyra and Malcolm Stewart.

The auction has been a feature of the Helensburgh festive calendar for almost 40 years, with its popularity showing no sign of slowing down despite the growing number of competing good causes, both local and national, each Christmas.

Diana Macintosh, chair of the charity’s Helensburgh branch, said: “For many people Christmas starts here – whether it is the mince pies, the smell of the Christmas punch, the lovely atmosphere of Moyra and Malcolm’s home or the selection of gifts for auction.

“Our auctioneer for several years now has been Rodger Scullion and as always he did a sterling job. The price of various items –a variety of bottles, jewellery, food gifts, scarves and Christmas gifts to mention a few – rose quickly as he encouraged those present to ‘dig deep’.

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“This they certainly did and the morning raised £672.

The Helensburgh committee is very grateful to all who supported the event and were extremely generous with their bidding and donations.

“We would also like to thank the people of Helensburgh for their support throughout the year.

“2019 has been the centenary of Save the Children and the need for the work of the charity is as great as it was 100 years ago, especially at this time of so many conflicts throughout the world.

“The disturbing images of child refugees, of whom, there are millions, appear regularly on our television screens and call out to us for help.”

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