Christmas in Park spreads seasonal joy

(Clockwise from front left) John Paine, Jackie Paine and Tauranga Community Foodbank's Alan Plunkett were thrilled to receive the donations collected by Karlie Morrow and Rachelle Duffy. Photo / John Borren

A trailer full of food and a car load of presents are making their way to families in need, thanks to the generosity of those who went to Tauranga's Christmas in the Park.

Organiser Rachelle Duffy was thrilled with the number of donations received despite the wet weather which kept many people away.

"In terms of food, we got a whole trailer load full of food. It was really awesome. We got pretty much the same amount of food we did last year, when we had 20,000 people. I think we had between 5000-8000 through the doors [on Saturday]."

Those who went to the concert at Blake Park were encouraged to take along food and a kid's present to donate.

The food was split between the Tauranga Community Foodbank and Good Neighbour, while the presents went to Homes of Hope and the Tauranga Women's Refuge.

"When we delivered them, they were just over the moon," Mrs Duffy said. "We know that we touched a few families that were in need, which is really what the event's about. It really is about raising as much awareness as we can for the charities we do it for."

The foodbank donation will further boost the huge amount raised during the 2014 Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal, which has already topped $83,000 in food and cash donations. "They have so many families come through their doors. It's really good to band together and do something," Mrs Duffy said. "So many people out there ... want to help but don't know how."