Christmas cheer delivered to families deserving a 'hand up'

The festive season can create stress but less-privileged families in Northland really feel the pressure as they struggle to afford the necessities.

But several Whangarei groups want to ensure everyone gets a bit of Christmas cheer.

Te Hau Awhiowhio o Otangarei, Life4U Trust and the Maori Evangelical Fellowship Church are recipients of the Christmas Box Project which will ensure struggling families have what they need to enjoy Christmas.

Martin Kaipo, chief executive of the Te Hau Awhiowhio Otangarei Trust, said Christmas can put pressure on families who are already financially strained.

"We all know that Christmas can be a stressful time and when you have whanau who can't afford the necessities or struggle to put food on the table it can be really hard. So it's a blessing to be part of the Christmas Box Project," he said.

Today in the City Rugby Football Clubrooms volunteers will be up early to pack and distribute 500 boxes of food to go to families in Otangarei and the wider community who are struggling. Mr Kaipo said when the Trust distributes other items to whanau throughout the year which have been sponsored by farmers and donated by the public, the families are always grateful.

"The kids love it. Just the smile it brings to their faces is awesome and they are so humble. No one likes admitting they need a hand out but we call it a hand up because it's well deserved and it's special because they bring us cheer," he said.

Mr Kaipo said the boxes, which weigh about 14 to 15kg, would go to whanau they know need help.

Lili Lemalu, from the Christmas Box Project, said the boxes were valued at $130 and included items for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a few treats. She said it was the first time the project had been to Whangarei since it first started 15 years ago.

Mr Kaipo said they have put the word out there for volunteers and anyone who wanted to lend a hand can go to the City clubrooms from 7.30am to 4pm today.