Community
13 December, 2022
Continuing a Christmas legacy
CHILDS World Early Learning Centres have always believed it takes a community to raise a child, so they have always ensured to support and give back to the Cairns community as much as possible.
So, when Childs World Educator Jodie met Neil and heard the story of his late wife Julie, she knew Childs World would want to support.
When Neil met his wife, Julie Graham, she had very little to her name, a little old car, two Maltese Shih Tzu pups and some life essentials while living on a defence pension.
Love was more important than money and even then, she gave what she could to others in need, especially children and the homeless.
The first time they went out together was New Year’s Eve on Lake Burley Griffin. With what little she had she invited Neil to a picnic that night in 2012.
They had an esky, fold out picnic table and a pram full of goodies covered by a baby wrap that was full of little gifts for children- sparklers, glow bangles, poppers, and some lollies.
The children and families could not believe they were free, and it brought even more excitement on a joyful night. Julie continued to do this for the 10 years Neil knew her, at Carols by Candlelight and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
On Christmas Eve Neil and Julie used to dress up in Christmas gear and visit the major local shopping centres with envelopes of cash to give away to people Julie felt needed a pep up, quickly handing them the envelope and disappearing in the Christmas crowd.
After Julie passed away in August 2022 Neil realised, she had collected many little goodies for children for this Christmas and wondered what to do with them all.
One day, Neil saw Jodie at a Childs World stand and wondered what it was about. He pitched his idea to Jodie and she loved the idea of keeping Julie’s legacy alive and thought Childs World could help.
All the children’s goodies from Julie and extras from Childs World Early Learning Centres are in Childs World bags for distribution, perfect for some of the larger items, like large bubble makers or buckets and spades.
Next weekend, Neil and his helpers will be traveling in a stretch Hummer at Carols in the Park handing out special treats to the children and keeping Julie’s legacy alive while spreading Christmas cheer.
