Warehouse stores throughout New Zealand have sold 101,175 KidsCan charity Christmas Crackers during their annual appeal to support New Zealand children living in poverty.
The Warehouse Hastings was one of the most prolific sellers of KidsCan crackers over the Christmas period.
The $202,350 generated from the $2 crackers sold instores throughout New Zealand during December is the biggest amount raised since the cracker appeal started four years ago.
The funds will be used to provide clothing and sunhats for disadvantaged children in the 237 schools receiving support from the KidsCan Trust throughout the country.
Stores at Royal Oak, New Lynn, Dunedin, Albany, Petone, Te Rapa, Manukau and Hastings sold the most crackers.
Over the past 30 years, The Warehouse stores across the country have raised approximately $30 million through various initiatives.
As part of its programme of partnering with Kiwi communities, The Warehouse raises about $2.5 million a year through national in-store fundraising campaigns, local and regional fundraising including the Community BBQ programme, in-store coin collection boxes, the Bags for Good programme and other initiatives.
The Warehouse Group chief executive Mark Powell said the fantastic result was testament to the commitment and enthusiasm of store teams and the continued support of customers.
Funds from the 2011 cracker campaign provided 15,000 sunhats for children in low-decile schools, and December's appeal will provide even more support for children who have been on the KidsCan waiting list for some time.
The funds raised in each store during the appeal will be used locally to support KidsCan partner schools in each area.
