Monday 21 December 2015

“No child should go without christmas”

Staff from Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi are teaming up with community groups and businesses to share the spirit of christmas with impoverished whānau and tamariki.

“There are so many whānau out there struggling to make ends meet and it’s often the tamariki who don’t get to enjoy chrstmas. For me that was wrong, no child should go without christmas.” Says Karen, receptionist for the Rūnanga.

The idea that ‘no child should go without Christmas’ was brought to Kaikohe by Karen Kākā, Merle Stirling and Sarah Quinn.

Merle works for the Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company and Sarah at the Ngāpuhi Service Station (Caltex Kaikohe) and with Karen approached businesses and community groups for their support.

Sarah said “The repsonse has been overwhelming” with several businesses and groups contributing, including Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Kaikohe businesspeople and businesses Eric Rush (New World Kaikohe), ASB, The Warehouse, Coca Cola, Bid Vest, Online Distribution, Simon Parker, Frucor, Beaver and Orchards Griffins.

Although they only originally planned to set up a wishing tree at Caltex Kaikohe – where people could drop-off donations for families who are less fortunate, the communities’ goodwill and generosity has lead to more than 40 food hampers, toys and donations being received.

“We hope this provides an early Christmas surprise for them, said Merle. We are still accepting donations to help our local tamariki and whānau and we’ll do it again next christmas and hope more people help us ensure no kid goes without Christmas”.

Hampers will be delivered to whānau on Tuesday 22 December by social workers from Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services.
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