Filling reindeer bellies helps cancer kids

A group of helpers including Harper Tapsell, 8, and Cody Bryson, 10, are selling special reindeer food to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation. Photo / Ben Fraser

With a sprinkling of oats and some brightly coloured sugar, a group of Rotorua kids are preparing to feed Santa's reindeer again this Christmas.

The children have been busily preparing hundreds of pottles of the special green and red food to power the reindeer - while raising money for the Child Cancer Foundation.

Among those selling the reindeer food is 11-year-old Jayden Young, who knows just how important the money is.

Jayden has a brain tumour and is part of the reason why organiser Linda Edward wanted to support the cause.

He told the Rotorua Daily Post while he still had a brain tumour, he was on special medication which helped stop the headaches and he was feeling better and looking forward to Christmas.

Fellow helper Jasmine Morrison has been selling the reindeer food for several years.

"I like raising money for child cancer because it helps them a lot."

She said some people gave a donation even though they didn't want the food, and others asked if they could eat it themselves.

Mrs Edward said her floor might be scattered with reindeer food, but she loved seeing the enthusiasm of the children making it. She hoped to raise $600 during the course of selling the food.