Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has pledged his support to charities collecting stamps in order to raise money for worthy causes.
Used stamps can be collected and sent to large charities such as Oxfam, who sell them and use the proceeds to fund charitable activities.
Charities earn an estimated £50m pounds annually via selling their own Christmas cards and collecting stamps also contributes to their funds.
An estimated 1.7 billion Christmas cards are sent annually in the UK, with a large percentage mailed with stamps, saving these and giving to charity can make a real difference.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Christmas is a time for thinking of others, and making a small gesture such as cutting a stamp from an envelope could make a big difference.
“As well as buying charity cards and recycling after Christmas, why not donate used stamps to charity and help out those less fortunate over the festive period. With a variety of charities involved in collecting stamps there is real choice when choosing a cause.
“At my office in Holyrood we save our stamps and help collect for the Royal National Institute for the blind.
“Sometimes the real message of Christmas is lost in the glitter of consumerism, but here is an opportunity for everyone to contribute positively at this time of year, and I urge people across Scotland to do so.”