A CHARITY is calling on Scots to dig deep this Christmas to help millions of families across the world living in regions blighted by poverty, hunger, war and natural disasters.

Launching its ethical Real Gifts appeal, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) wants the people of Scotland to do what they can to change the lives of the world’s poorest.

Alistair Dutton, director of Sciaf, is launching the charity drive to highlight the likes of Justin Rugama, a four-year-old boy with a disability who lives in poverty-stricken Nicaragua

The youngster was born without the use of his legs — they are very short and haven’t developed properly and his leg joints aren’t in their socket — due to a rare birth defect called Proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD).

Being born into poverty in a country like Nicaragua is difficult enough, but living with a disability like Justin’s makes life even harder for him and his family.

Thanks to donations from generous Scots, Justin now has a wheelchair and has been getting gradually stronger through regular physiotherapy.

Before Sciaf intervened Justin’s mum had to carry him everywhere and he was often the target of bullies.

Their lives were turned around two years ago when they got help from Special Families, a Sciaf-supported organisation that helps people living with a disability.

Dutton is urging Scots to once again do what they can this upcoming festive season to change the lives of more people like Justin by giving a present to a loved one from Sciaf’s Real Gifts catalogue.

“As Christmas approaches, we’re all trying to come up with a special gift for the people we love that really means something. Just imagine the smile on their faces when they open a present that gives a wee boy like Justin living and his family a better life,” he said.

“By buying our Real Gifts people can help some of the poorest people in the world with practical things like school books, toilets, essential medicines and clean water.

“Christmas is a time to remember thousands of families living on a knife edge as a result of poverty, hunger, war and natural disasters. You can help give them hope for the future by providing them with the things they need to work their way out of poverty.”

Real Gift’s “Help a child living with a disability” costs just £79, and many other options are available from providing school books for £10 to gifting a goat to a family for £32.

To buy any of these visit www.sciaf.org.uk or call 0141 354 5555.