WANTED: Social Media Santas

A social media campaign is launched via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram on Monday 17thNovember encouraging people to buy presents for homeless children in Scotland this Christmas.

‘Social Media Santa’ is now in its third year and last year delivered hundreds of presents to homeless children by working with housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland.

The charity says that more than 4,000 children will be homeless this Christmas across Scotland.

Kind-hearted social media users are being urged to buy presents suitable for boys and girls from the age of 6 months to 16 years old and either post them or have them delivered directlyto Social Media Santa, Shelter Scotland, Scotiabank, 6 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AW.

Everyone who buys a gift is encouraged to post a photo of it on social media using the hashtag #SocialMediaSanta, and to tag the Shelter Scotland account (@shelterscotland on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter).

Social Media Santa is the idea of Ross McCulloch, Director of Third Sector Lab, a specialist digital agency working with charities and social enterprises.

He says: "Twitter users can make a real difference to homeless children in Scotland this Christmas.  By sending gifts like books, toys or games, we are hoping that Social Media Santas will help make this Christmas better for hundreds of children and their families across Scotland.”