Gifts for 4thekidz at Countdown birthday celebration

Countdown Stratford store manager Raylee Sattler (far left), and staff member Michelle Campbell (far right) presented $1000 to Caro Cragg, David Cragg and Kayla Benton for 4thekidz.

"There was a lot of emotional gifting as well as the actual money."

Chairperson of 4thekidz, Caro Cragg, says she and her group of volunteers were really touched to have been invited to be part of Countdown Stratford's birthday celebrations.

"It's not just the money that was raised for us, it is also the connections people were making, and the way people have really responded to us on a personal level."

Stratford store manager Raylee Sattler had invited Caro and members of 4thekidz to be part of the celebrations marking the store having been in the town for two years. The idea came from talking to a staff member, Michelle Campbell, who volunteers for the charitable group.

"When she told us about the work they do, we knew it was something we wanted to support."

Raylee says the entire store got behind the idea of supporting the local charity as part of their birthday week.

"We had a sausage sizzle and cake for our customers on the Wednesday and Saturday, and had donation tins available if people wanted to make a donation to 4thekidz at the same time."

"One of our staff members was so touched on hearing about the work Caro's group does, she went home and made up two packs herself to donate."

Raylee says the staff member, who wanted to remain anonymous, had come back to work with two packs for Caro's charitable group to distribute to children in need. With torches, pens, blankets, a teddy and more, each pack was beautifully made up.

"It's really special," says Caro, who says the packs go to children who are going through a difficult time.

"So having something made up specially for them, when someone has put effort and care into it, reminds the child they are loved, that people care about them, they aren't forgotten."

Raylee says she was thrilled the store managed to raise $700 over the two days, despite some very wild and wet weather on the Saturday.

Last Wednesday, Raylee invited Caro to come to the store to receive the money. As she handed over the cash, Raylee surprised Caro by telling her Countdown had rounded the final figure up to a tidy $1000.

"That's just amazing, it really is." Caro was moved to tears by the gesture saying she can't thank Stratford Countdown staff and customers enough.

"The support has been fantastic." She says they are always on the look out for volunteers to help make up the packs or knit blankets.

Raylee says Countdown staff will be helping 4thekidz in other ways too, with some volunteering their time to help make up packs ready to be given out to children in the future.