Gift appeal response beyond expectation

CHRISTMAS CHEER: Eastwood Motor Group owner Mike Allan (left) and sales manager Gary Allan with the haul of presents the community has given for children. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Community generosity is to help spread Christmas joy to children of Masterton's needy families.

Hundreds of gifts have been dropped off at Eastwood Motor Group in an appeal the business launched this year to bring cheer to children who will otherwise miss out on Christmas morning.

The Times-Age appeal, which featured recently, was part of the Eastwood Motor Group's campaign. MediaWorks has helped promote the appeal.

Sales manager Gary Allan said they wanted to support the community which had supported them in business.

"We thought we'd like to give something back to the community and we thought we could spread some Christmas joy and help our local kids," he said.

He's blown away by the response too.

"We've been blessed with the support of Wairarapa people. Everyone has been so generous ... some people have arrived with bags full of presents. The calibre of the presents have been amazing. This will bring joy to kids who would otherwise get absolutely nothing ... Thanks to the generosity of these people we have been able to make this happen."

The presents will be given to a "couple of local groups" who work with needy families.

"They will identify the people in need."