Welcome boost to Operation Blue Santa

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

THE Operation Blue Santa initiative to provide Christmas goodies to needy local families has received a $12,155 injection from Bayleys Gisborne.

Gisborne police — in combination with Whangaia Nga Pa Harakeke, Countdown Gisborne and Te Aka Ora Charitable Trust — are running the community initiative for the second year running

The Bayleys donation will provide 143 hampers of food stuffs and other Christmas fare.

It has been welcomed by Operation Blue Santa organisers.

“Our aim is to ensure that no deserving family will miss out,” said appeal organiser Constable Tracey Mann.

“The more people give, the more we can do, and that means more families getting blessed this holiday season with a laundry basket full of donated food.”

Bayleys company director Simon Bousfield said his team worked hard throughout October and November to ensure the positive activity in the property market resulted in more families receiving Christmas cheer.

“For every appraisal and listing completed by the team since October 1 and for each successful sale at our massive Bayleys Bids 4 Kids auction on November 27, a contribution was made to the Operation Blue Santa project.”

Constable Mann said they were still about 100 food baskets short of their target.

“Each basket costs about $85 to fill.

“Anyone wishing to help us with their project can either contact myself at Gisborne police, or go to Countdown and the team there will help them. They can also contact Laura at the Te Aka Ora Charitable Trust — 868-7722.”