Aussie teens are out in force for festive appeal

Rotorua Salvation Army commanding officer Major Bill Millar said it was great to see the youngsters helping out. Photo / Stephen Parker

A group of Australian teens are set to celebrate the end of their high school days by collecting cans to help fill hungry Rotorua tummies this Christmas.

The group of 17 and 18-year-olds from around Australia will be out in force on Monday in the Ngongotaha area doing their own can drive as part of the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal for the Salvation Army Foodbank.

It is part of a drug and alcohol-free schoolies trip run by Lead, an Australian organisation which delivers leadership and self development programmes in schools.

Schoolies is a popular Australian tradition for students celebrating the end of their final year of high school.

This is the fifth time the organisation has brought a group of teens to Rotorua.

Lead experience deliverer Bel Yorston said the trip's philosophy was to give back to those around Rotorua and the can drive was a good way of doing that.

"The Salvation Army is just an amazing group and do some amazing things, so we thought we'd lend them 80 extra helping hands."

Miss Yorston said the group would also do plenty of "adrenalin stuff" while in the city such as white water rafting, visiting Ogo and Skyline Rotorua.

"Out of all that adventure stuff, some of them say the highlight is helping out with the Salvation Army. They love it. For them it's all about community and being able to give back."

Rotorua Salvation Army commanding officer Major Bill Millar said it was great to see the youngsters helping out.

"It must be a bit of a tradition. They love coming and love doing this collection."

Mr Millar said as the group was not available to help with the Fill the Bus food drive on Wednesday, he decided to "put them to use" on Monday with a collection at Ngongotaha.

The collection takes place from 6pm with teams making their way through the village with air horns to let people know they are coming.