A MELROSE nursery is the latest local organisation to enter into the spirit of Christmas by signing up to Cash for Kids.

Cherrytrees held its own craft fair on Friday to raise funds for the region-wide children’s charity.

And the childcare centre on Dingelton Road will act as a Cash for Kids drop off point during the Mission Christmas appeal.

Cherrytrees childcare manager Marie Green told us: “This is the first time we have raised money for Cash for Kids and we are all really excited to be helping such a good cause.

“When we contacted Cash for Kids they invited the children over to their base at Radio Borders.

“As well as our Christmas Fair we are holding a Christmas Jumper day on December 11 to raise funds.”

The Melrose childcare centre raised £830 last Christmas for the Children’s Ward at Borders General Hospital.

Marie added: “The money was used to buy toys for all of the children who were in hospital over Christmas as well as two new prams for the ward.”

It is estimated that one in three children in the Scottish Borders live in households beneath the poverty line.

Cash for Kids aims to deliver a present to as many of them as it can through its Mission Christmas campaign.

Last year the charity, which is based in the Tweedbank studios of Radio Borders, helped 703 children.

And this year organiser Candy Rafferty hopes to bring a Christmas morning smile to even more.

She told us: “We’re delighted that Cherrytrees has joined us for Mission Christmas.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of companies and organisations all across the Borders, and more and more people are donating toys.

“There are around 14,500 children in the Borders and North Northumberland who are living beneath the poverty line.

“We helped 703 children last year, we want to smash that number this year.

“We're asking you to buy an extra present that we'll give to a disadvantaged local child to make their Christmas morning special.”

Any new, unwrapped gift can be dropped off to the various collection points across the region.

As well as Cherrytrees, Gibson Park Playgroup in Melrose is acting as a drop off point for gift donations.

In Galashiels, Matalan, Brothers of Charity, Thomas Cook and Co-op Travel will accept gifts.

Scotia Chiropractic in St Boswells, Brown Brothers in Peebles and the offices of Bank of Scotland, Waverley Housing and Emtelle in Hawick are also official drop off points.