Soap Stars Back SCIAF Real Gifts

Stars from Scotland’s best loved soap opera, River City, have joined forces with SCIAF to help launch our new range of life-changing, poverty-fighting Christmas Real Gifts.

Click here to buy your Real Gifts

Libby McArthur and Deirdrie Davis – who play sisters Gina Rossi and Eileen Donachie in the popular soap – exchanged giant Real Gifts of pigs and chickens at a festive themed launch event. Instead of buying soap, socks and book tokens for friends and family this Christmas, the pair are urging Scots to get SCIAF Real Gifts which help transform the lives of people trapped in poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Libby said: “Over a billion people across the world go to bed hungry every night and for many of them, Christmas will be no different.

“That’s why this year, I’ll be ditching rubbish presents like comedy boxer shorts and smellies to give the SCIAF Real Gift of chickens which will provide a family in need with plenty of fresh eggs to eat and sell.

“I would urge everyone in Scotland to join us by swapping one of their usual presents for a Real Gift this Christmas and help give someone a better chance in life.”

Deirdrie added: “Every year I end up buying people presents they don’t really need. SCIAF Real Gifts are such a good idea. They’re fun, a bit different and they really do help to change people’s lives for the better.

“This Christmas I’ll be giving the Real Gift of pigs – a present that just keeps on giving. When piglets are born, they can be sold, earning extra cash for things like school books and medicines. Families can even use the pig manure as an environmentally friendly fertiliser to help them grow more food.”

When you buy a Real Gift – like seeds, a fish farm or training for a midwife – the money you spend goes directly to a SCIAF funded project in Africa, Asia or Latin America which provides a poor community with your chosen gift as part of its work.

Shoppers receive a beautiful card and fridge magnet with each Real Gift they buy, to help remind them of the difference their gift is making.

SCIAF’s Frances Rayner said: “I’d like to thank Libby and Deirdrie for coming along today and giving us their support. It’s great to see Scotland’s best loved soap opera and Scotland’s aid agency working together to bring lasting change to communities living in poverty.

“Real Gifts make great Christmas presents because they allow you to share something extraordinary with the people you love. Instead of socks or book tokens, you could give a gift that helps to change lives – like, a school starter pack, essential medicines or water for an entire village!”

Click here to buy your Real Gifts