Wheel gifts for Featherston kids

Christmas came early for 20 Featherston kids yesterday, who received free bikes and helmets from Variety - The Children's Charity.

Pupils from Featherston, South Featherston and Kahutara schools received bikes.

Fundraising and events manager Jodi Preston-Thomas said the kids were nominated to receive bikes for one of three reasons: If they had been role models to other children, had difficult circumstances and "need a pick-me-up" or had parents who were not in a position to buy them a bike.

"It's all good fun and it's been really great, especially when the kids don't know they're getting the bikes," Ms Preston-Thomas said. "It's really neat when it's a bit of a surprise."

Bikes For Kids is an initiative within Variety's Kids On The Move programme, which provides help to Kiwi kids.

Throughout the year Variety calls for nominations for Bikes For Kids.

The scheme encourages young people to achieve their goals and recognises those achievements through the presentation of bikes.