For more than 20 years, one passionate and devoted supporter of the annual Christmas Cheer Appeal was a lady of "mature" years that was only prepared to be known as "nana".
She was happy to have her remarkable and beautiful knitting works (dozens and dozens of colourful bunnies, teddies and dolls) noted but year after year drew the line at having her name used.
She would simply just smile and place the box of goodies she had knitted during the year on the floor under the office Christmas Cheer tree and say "just put that it was from 'nana"'.
Through the years she made soft toys and goodies for her own children and wanted to create the same expressions of delight on the faces of less fortunate children in the community. And so, year after year, nana would call with her handiwork.
But there will be no knitted joy from nana this Christmas. She has passed away. We got the news in a card from her "daughter and nieces" this week - and in the card her daughter (who respected her late mum's wishes to remain anonymous by not giving names) wrote: "Nana that used to bring in the box of knitted soft toys passed away in October."
She added that as her mum had been unable to knit toward the end of her life, she promised she and her nieces would go and buy gifts to support the appeal she had enjoyed being part of so much.
Ladies ... that sums up the spirit of Christmas, and the appeal.
Toys and gifts continue to arrive daily with people happy to pop in and do their bit for the appeal. Sk8 Zone and the Par2 Mini Golf in Napier have also donated vouchers.
The cash fund received a boost over the past couple of days with two generous donations from annual supporters. The Hawke's Bay Regional Council chipped in with $500, while Conroy Removals came to the party with $200 and About Decorating with $100 - to push the fund closer to $3000.
Donations
Previously Donated $1987
Hawke's Bay Regional Council $500
Conroys Removals $200
About Decorating $100
Napier Counter Tin $15
Total$2802
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