Jorzahn gets a lift up in the world

Jorzahn McCallum's mum Faith was so angry that her son's basketball hoop was stolen from their backyard, she put notices out to see if anyone could help get it back.

Yesterday she said she was still coming to terms with the "awesome gesture" of KJ Allen and Paul Berridge of Hoop Nation, who read the Chronicle's story and gave 6-year-old Jorzahn an early Christmas present.

"I never expected anything.

"I just hoped someone who saw the story in the paper might remember something," Ms McCallum said.

"We feel really blessed."

Mr Allen, a psychology teacher at Wanganui High School, and Mr Berridge of Fight Fit Gym in Wilson St, said they related to Jorzahn's disappointment because they had children his age.

The men said The Warehouse was generous as well, when they went to buy the hoop.

Jorzahn also received a basketball, two sports jackets, a sports shirt signed by former Tall Black captain Phil Jones, and another sports shirt signed by the winners of the men's tournament who played in the Labour Weekend Hoop Nation.

Ms McCallum and Jorzahn also received a family pass to the 2013 Hoop Nation.