Mufti day brings gold coins for festive appeal

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule and Brendon Smith from Pak'n Save join Trish Dymond (left) and Caren Rangi to get the big packing mission for that city's recipients under way. Photo / Paul Taylor

The youngsters of Havelock North Primary School swapped their more traditional blue school colours for anything they liked last week as they enjoyed a mufti day.

They were happy to wear some bright colours and just as happy to do their bit for the Christmas Cheer Appeal by making a gold coin donation to go mufti.

When all was counted up the total came to a terrific $314 which pushed the grand total raised so far closer to the five-figure mark.

The youngsters, their parents and staff at the school also came up with five cartons of food items they collected.

Another top effort from a school which has been a generous donor to the cheer appeal in the past.

The Ministry of Education also stepped up to the mark in a big way and yesterday dropped off two large boxes of toys and gifts for children.

There were balls, toy trucks and cars, games and puzzles, teddy bears and just about everything a youngster would love to see on Christmas Day.

Great stuff.

A lady who gave her name only as Judith also popped in with several bags of clothing for children, teens and adults.

As the last-minute items appeared they were ferried off to the packing centres in Napier and Hastings where teams of volunteers began putting the 480 Napier parcels and an equal amount in Hastings together.

It will take a couple of days to complete.

At the Hastings packing site yesterday the crew were joined by Mayor Lawrence Yule and Brendon Smith from Pak'n Save in Hastings.

The supermarket has long been a supporter of the appeal and Mr Smith wanted to do a little extra to get a real "hands-on" feel for it.

Mr Yule said he was happy to "pitch in" and do a spot of packing for such a good cause.

He paid tribute to all the businesses, schools, clubs, community groups and individuals who did their bit to ensure those less fortunate in the community had a good Christmas by making a donation.

The appeal will wrap up on Friday.