Boxed gifts to brighten Christmas in Whanganui

Christmas is fast approaching and while some of us scramble to buy presents Operation Shoebox Wanganui have their gifts wrapped and ready.

Maria and Brent Lawless put the word out six months ago to gather presents for families who would otherwise go without.

"We have been collecting shoeboxes that people fill with new items, wrap, attach the distribution labels and donate to those in need within our community," said Mrs Lawless.

"Operation Shoebox Wanganui was started three years ago and this is the second year that Brent and I have taken up the collection."

Last year the couple collected 115 boxes from Whanganui donors and delivered them to Whanganui Women's Network to distribute.

"This year we have chosen Jigsaw Whanganui to distribute the gifts."

Boxes donated by Footloose were distributed to people who wanted to help and the filled, wrapped boxes were delivered to the drop off point at Wanganui Toyota on Guyton St.

Wanganui Coldstorage and Horizons Regional Council delivered boxes after taking up their own collections.

Westmere, St Mary's schools and home educators have been gathering gift boxes and they have been collected with help from Elfie the Christmas elf whose services have been donated by the Happy Wanderers Entertainment Group.

The couple also received a number of cash donations which they used to purchase gifts and make up some boxes.

Jigsaw operations manager Tim Metcalfe said the gift boxes will make a "huge difference" to the families receiving support from Jigsaw.

"We ask people to label the boxes with the age and gender of the children and adults the gifts will be suitable for," said Mrs Lawless.

"We are humbled by the support we received from our community and sponsors."

To find out more about Operation Shoebox Wanganui visit the Facebook page.