Christmas gift appeal

Stratford people are well known for their generosity when it comes to helping those in need. It is a district where people stop and help their neighbours in difficult times and reach out to strangers when they need it. Every year the Christmas gift appeal sees a huge pile of gifts distributed to less fortunate children and elderly during the Mayor’s Christmas gift appeal.

A long tradition in Stratford, the Christmas tree gift appeal sees people taking their good, pre-loved and new toys and gifts to the District Council offices to place them under the tree. Just prior to Christmas, local community service agencies gather with the Mayor and distribute the gifts to children and aged in the Stratford district.

The gifts can be placed in the District Council office foyer, Miranda Street, between 8.30am 1 December until 4.30pm Tuesday 16 December 2008. Any enquiries should be directed to Pauline James at the Council. Pauline said, “home made pickles, chutneys, Christmas cakes and puddings are always popular with older people.”

Mayor John Edwards said, “for various reasons, a number of our local children and older people are not lucky enough to receive gifts at Christmas time. This is just one way to bring happiness to those less fortunate than many of us and show the true spirit of Christmas.”

Enquiries to: Pauline James on 06 765 6099.