Staff add to appeal efforts

CHEERS: Tania McCauley (left), from the Napier City Council's communications team, was happy to take up the collecting bucket and Hayleigh Brereton was happy to add to the cheer fund. PHOTO/ROGER MORONEY

For several Napier City councillors and council staff members Wednesday was a fine time to get out of the chamber or the office for a time to do their bit for the annual Christmas Cheer Appeal.

They went out in groups of four and did a collecting stint for an hour or so, and then the next rostered group of four went out.

As the collectors discovered, there was plenty of community support out there as people dropped off coins and notes for the appeal.

At the end of the day the count-up revealed $547 had been collected. And adding to that great sum, councillor Maxine Boag also gave the cash fund a bit of a nudge, donating $150.

Among the annual supporters of the appeal is the Napier Cosmopolitan Club Centennial Charitable Trust and this year they again came through with a great boost for the cash fund.

The trust dropped off a cheque for $200 and that, along with a $100 anonymous donation which arrived at the Napier office of Hawke's Bay Today saw the fund go past the $8000 mark.

For the food and gift collections two regular supporters of the appeal were more than happy to do their bit once again.

For 20 years a grand Napier lady we know as Doris has been hand-knitting beautiful jerseys and beanie hats for children of all ages from 1 to 10.

Yesterday that year's knitting for the community was delivered and there were dozens and dozens of items which will bring plenty of smiles to a lot of youngsters.

And every year Viv Brown in Hastings drops off boxes of shortbread and lollies which she and helpers Jean-Louise, Eileen and Hannah Roberts put together.

Great stuff, and all part of the community getting together to help those less fortunate in the community at a special time of the year.

The Hawke's Bay Today-supported Christmas Cheer Appeal runs until December 19.

Cash fund

Previously donated $7144

Napier council-driven

street collection $547

Maxine Boag $150

Napier Cosmopolitan Club

Centennial Charitable trust $200

Anonymous $100

Total $8141