Pre-schoolers deliver surprise gifts

Hollie Barr (with reindeer hat) and Sarsha Baker from Hummingbirds deliver Christmas presents from the children at their child care centre to the City Mission. Photo / Chris Loufte

A surprise delivery of presents from generous children arrived for those in need this Christmas.

The children of Hummingbirds pre-school in St Johns, Auckland, spent this week choosing and wrapping presents for Starship Hospital and Auckland City Mission. The generous kids even made the wrapping, colouring it in and drawing patterns for those who will unwrap the gifts on Tuesday.

Hummingbirds staff said Starship couldn't accept the gifts, but after seeing reports of queues outside Auckland City Mission, the teachers chose to donate all the two hundred-plus presents to the mission.

Teacher Hollie Barr said the four year-olds had cajoled their parents into making a special effort to buy presents. She was amazed at their generosity. "It's incredible what they've done."

Proud parent Rachael Smith said the youngsters outdid themselves. "It's great because I can imagine people have been very generous. But I would say the kiddies need to know they can help in some way."

Hummingbirds Early Childhood Centre manager Sarsha Baker helped Barr unload the carload of presents. The teachers said their kids had been "very protective" of the presents this week and resisted the urge to unwrap the gifts or take sneak peeks inside.

A delighted and very busy City Mission team leader Wilf Holt was on hand to witness the impromptu visit. He said the mission was flat-out this week.