On Friday 13 May, Glasgow City Mission held a toiletries collection at Glasgow Central Station.

We had a very successful day and collected two full pallet loads of toiletries that we will pass on to our guests. We also received over £80 in cash. These donations from Glasgow’s public are testament to the city’s huge heart.

Not only was it individuals who donated but we had representatives from Knightswood Baptist Church visit the stand. The church had organised their members to drop off their donations at the church and they then brought the bags into the station. Glasgow Central staff also made donations and the Body Shop branch in the station came out with lots of their goodies.

We arranged five shifts to run the stand throughout the day and we were supported by Katie, Gail, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Craig, Victoria and Lisa from Edrington UK; Craig and Hannah from RBS; Alex, Robert, Josh, Adam, Hamish, Kallum, Nathan, Toni, Tom and Arthur from Strathclyde University’s Hockey Team and our very own Graeme Innes.

Elizabeth and Craig from Edrington are on the sales side of the business and they decided they would use their skills to increase the donations! They visited various shops and came back with toiletries from different Boots stores; they also encouraged a donation from the local Sainsbury’s that was then kindly delivered by staff. Edrington also arranged a collection within the company and Katie brought these along to the Mission.

As is always the case in Glasgow, there were many great conversations with the public. One woman told us her dad had loved Glasgow City Mission. He died recently and she said that the Mission had helped him when he was a young man. As a result, she is going to arrange a donation from his estate.

We are so thankful to all the volunteers and donors that helped and donated. It was great being back in the middle of Central Station getting donations for our guests and feeling the beating of Glasgow’s huge heart.