Students join push to spread the joy

Mohaka House leaders at Taradale Intermediate School Leo Watson, 12 (left), Gina Glass, 13, Megan Kerr, 13, and Rachael Seed, 13, are pictured with the coin-shaped Christmas tree. Photo / Paul Taylor

Schools have continued to be devoted supporters of this year's Christmas Cheer Appeal, through staging money-raising efforts as well as ensuring the food side of things gets a big boost.

Among annual supporters are Lindisfarne High School's pupils, parents and staff.

Every Christmas they put together a food gathering campaign which becomes so successful it ends up requiring staff to organise a trailer to get it all to the packing station in Hastings.

Lindisfarne chaplain Warren Fortune said it simply came down to creating a strong Christmas spirit and the students were keen to do their bit.

"Just fantastic," Hastings cheer coordinator Jo Reyngoud said.

The 150 young pupils who make up Mohaka House at Taradale Intermediate also decided to do their bit for the appeal and decided to create a coin trail in the shape of a Christmas tree.

Teacher and house leader Vinka Donkin said the youngsters had staged a "cans" festival last year to collect tinned goods but this year decided to help boost the important cash fund.

"It also signalled our final assembly together for the year and parents coming along for the celebration also added to the trail."

The target they had aimed for was $150 but they made $211, a fine effort.

Karamu High School also did their bit and dropped off three large cartons of Weet-Bix - about three dozen boxes, which is great for the food parcels.

The Napier cheer pile had a boost, thanks to the generosity and determination to "put something back into the community" by the Art Deco Trust staff and volunteers.

Their collection was terrific - a huge variety of gifts, goodies, toys, foodstuffs and everything from cosmetics to delightful picture frames.

It was the first time the trust had staged a collection and it would become an annual event now, one of the happy crew said.

Probus dropped off several boxes of food and goodies, as did the finance department of Hastings District Council, who also had a gold coin whipround.

The cash fund has surged well past the $7000 mark now, thanks to latest donations from Judd Dougan Team Architects and the Two Fold Opportunity Shop.

All sorts of goodies are continuing to pop up at the various collection points.

The first parcel packing efforts will get under way next Tuesday and Wednesday, with the appeal now staying active for late arrivals and cash donations through until December 19.