13 Dec 2023
Topgolf Glasgow and charity partner, Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust, kicked off festivities this week by hand delivering over 600 presents to people across Cambuslang and Rutherglen who otherwise would go without this Christmas.
In a bid to make sure everyone has excitement on Christmas Day, a team of 12 Topgolf Playmakers and volunteers from Healthy n Happy worked together to pack up hundreds of presents which had been donated by big-hearted locals before setting out around Cambuslang and Rutherglen to give back.
With more applications this year, it is thought the cost-of-living crisis has increased the need for support from families and individuals to give their loved ones the Christmas they deserve.
As well as 600 physical gifts, people and businesses from around Glasgow, Rutherglen, Cambuslang and Lanarkshire, have dug deep and contributed a total of £1000. This generosity allowed Healthy n Happy to buy gifts for all age groups where there were shortages in donated presents. Thanks to this gesture, Healthy n Happy and Topgolf were able to ‘Give a Gift of Joy’ this Christmas to children, young people, adults and older people.
Simon Green, Operations Director, Topgolf Glasgow, said: “It was a heart-warming scene to see so many presents piled high at Topgolf Glasgow ready to be delivered to people in our local area. Our Playmakers and the Healthy n Happy team really pulled together to make it happen and start spreading festive joy.
“We’ve loved working with our new charity partner, Healthy n Happy, on our first campaign together, especially on an initiative that is so worthwhile and makes a real difference to people.”
Brendan Rooney, Executive Director, Healthy n Happy, said: “It’s really sad that a lot of local children, adults and older people wouldn’t receive gifts this Christmas, but the generosity of local residents, local businesses in Lanarkshire and Glasgow to our ‘Give a Gift of Joy’ appeal has been incredible. We are so grateful to all who have shown such kindness.”
“A huge thank you to our corporate partner Topgolf for being a gift drop off point, the central storage and sorting station, and also for delivering the gifts to the local community. This will ensure those needing support will have a more joyful Christmas.”
This partnership marks the latest move from the hi-tech golf experience, Topgolf Glasgow, to support positive change. Since opening in December 2022, the venue has taken an active role in the community by welcoming thousands of school children for free taster sessions and providing hundreds of jobs for local residents, culminating in the venue being shortlisted for a SURF – Scotland’s Regeneration Forum for ‘Removing Barriers to Employability’.
Healthy n Happy work with local Cambuslang and Rutherglen residents of various ages and stages, focusing on helping those in the most challenging circumstances. They aim to make a difference by offering lots of fun, purposeful activities for everyone in the two communities to benefit from and enjoy.
Families, individuals and groups who benefit from the work Healthy n Happy do will have a chance to get together throughout the year to enjoy the wide range of golf games available in Topgolf’s comfortable and technology-packed bays.
