Community
20 December, 2021
Mayors Appeal shares the Spirit of Christmas
Christmas will be a little brighter for 700 local families who are doing it tough, thanks to the generosity of the Cairns community.
The 2021 Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal has raised $86,000 to provide food hampers to families and elderly residents who might otherwise go without on Christmas Day.
From Monday, December 13 until Wednesday, December 15, at the Cairns Showgrounds, Fred Moule Pavilion, Cairns residents volunteered to assemble the 700 hampers to bring the Christmas cheer to struggling families.
Mayor Bob Manning praised the Cairns community for its ongoing appeal support.
“Every year, residents dig deep to help their neighbours in need,” he said.
“This year, hampers will be distributed to not only to those in our community facing financial difficulties, but also those who have had experienced emotional trauma due to the hardships felt this year.”
President of the Rotary Club Cairns Sunrise Bill Gane said nothing would have been possible without the volunteers.
“It’s just a great community effort; on Monday, I believe we had around 18 people, on Tuesday when there were at least 120 people, today we have at least 60 people coming,” Mr Gane said.
“It’s also nice having the children with us; they have the energy, they have the passion, and they get a look at what it’s like to help other people.
“I believe this is year 19 of Christmas hampers, and it’s just wonderful to be a part of it!” 14-year-old volunteer Honey Dare said it was essential to help people in need this Christmas.
“It’s not fair to have a great Christmas at home while others don’t. Everyone deserves a great Christmas,” she said Cr Manning said the fundraising effort would not have been possible without the support of local businesses and the community’s generosity.
“My personal thanks go to the 100 plus volunteers who have put up their hands to help prepare, pack and deliver these hampers to people in our community, as well as the Navy, Rotary and FGF Bitumen who are coordinating the transportation of the hampers throughout the city,” Cr Manning said.
“To everyone who has contributed to the appeal in any way, we thank you for your generosity and wish you a very merry Christmas.”
