Two Manawatu families won't have to struggle through Christmas this year thanks to an incredible gesture from FMG Insurance.
Together with Te Aroha Noa community services organisation, FMG surprised the deserving families on Tuesday with Christmas parcels and gifts including linen, activity passes, vouchers, scooters, games, Lego, clothing, homewares, kitchen appliances and pamper packs.
"Six months ago FMG contacted me to see if I had any whanau who had made big changes in their lives and deserved to have their Christmas covered," said Te Aroha Noa Hippy co-ordinator Jodie Matenga Phillips.
She explained the two women selected had battled a lack of confidence, social isolation and had low level education.
But they immersed themselves in courses covering self-esteem and te reo Maori, Computer in Homes and they recently graduated from a 60-week Hippy education programme alongside their children.