Letter of the Week: Christmas in the Park

Festive event selfless gift

Christmas in the Park was a triumph yet again this year as 20,000 people from Napier and wider districts celebrated Christmas the way we used to - before commercialism of the Saviour's birth hijacked the festive season.

I was surprised to learn this week that what most believe is a Napier City Council-run event is in fact run by a trust, and that this small group of private individuals has to dig deep personally to make good on the financial loss sustained this year.

The council assisted with resources and had the park looking wonderful for the weekend, but did not fund the event.

I understand it cost about $80,000 to organise - a lot of money for individuals to find in these straitened times, but not a particularly large sum if the cost were to be shared by local bodies.

It would be to families' detriment if an event which provides enjoyment in a safe and positive environment - for free - were to be discontinued through lack of financial support.

To that small band of organisers, thank you for a fantastic evening and I sincerely hope that your selfless efforts to bless others does not lead to a spartan Christmas in your own homes as you honour the costs incurred on the community's behalf.

There must be something we can do to help you to recover these costs in order to ensure the event is held again next year?

Ros Rowe, Bridge Pa

Congratulations to Ros Rowe, who wins a $16 Lotto triple dip for this letter published on Saturday, December 17.

Letter of the Week prize courtesy of Andrew Spence Pharmacy, Onekawa Shopping Centre, Napier.