Christmas spirit comes from strangers

Travellers drop unwanted currency into six donation globes scattered around Auckland Airport. Photo / Greg Bowker

This festive season will see the 12 days of Christmas take on a new twist for a dozen deserving charities.

In the spirit of Christmas, Auckland Airport and the Herald invite registered charities to apply for the chance to receive one of 12 $10,000 donations.

The donations will be awarded over the 12 days leading up to Christmas with each recipient featuring in the Herald.

Auckland Airport communications manager Richard Llewellyn said all of the $120,000 was collected through travellers dropping unwanted currency into six donation globes situated throughout the airport.

The globes are emptied three times a year and Auckland Airport covers the cost of collecting and converting more than 200 different currencies.

The majority of the notes and coins come from Australia and New Zealand, but last year's donations included $15.80 of Croatian kuna, $4.16 of Zambian kwacha and $416.63 of Chilean peso.

"Countries with tipping cultures are better represented," he said.

Now in its second year, Mr Llewellyn hopes this year's promotion will be even better.

Last year the money bought a new van for West Auckland Hospice, helped build a new headquarters for Youthline in Manukau and allowed Age Concern to buy Christmas presents for hundreds of lonely resthome residents.

To be eligible charities must be operating in New Zealand and able to demonstrate their charitable purposes are uniquely Kiwi.

Organisers are looking for charities - national and local - covering all kinds of great causes.

"We want them to say what they would do with the money, we would like it to go towards something specific."

Mr Llewellyn has received 40 applications and expects many more.

Applications must be made before 4pm next Friday through Auckland Airport's website www.aucklandairport.co.nz.

Applicants will be shortlisted and a final decision will be made in the first week of December.