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 a massive $86,000 to provide food hampers to families and elderly residents who might otherwise go without on Christmas Day.
This includes more than $43,000 at the 5-Star Chefs for Charity gala dinner, over $31,000 at the Mayor’s Charity Golf Day and $4,250 from Triple M’s auction of an electric guitar signed by Jimmy Barnes, the Hoodoo Guru’s Jon Stevens, Diesel, Killing Heidi and Chris Cheney.
Mayor Bob Manning praised the Cairns community for its ongoing support of the appeal.
“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.
“This includes people who have been impacted by domestic violence, found themselves homeless due to the rental crisis, or may have suffered a significant and debilitating medical condition.
“For many of these people, festive merriment is probably the furthest thing from their mind, but I am sure a Christmas hamper will go a long way to lift their spirits.
“It will remind them that they are part of caring community.”
Cr Manning said the fundraising effort would not have been possible without the support of local businesses and of course the generosity of the community.
“The Christmas season is all about giving and there are so many generous people in our community who put this into practice,” Cr Manning said.
“In particular, a big thanks to the Hilton Cairns, Pullman Cairns International, Shangri-La and the Pullman Reef Casino for their ongoing participation in the charity dinner.
“I would also like to mention major donors FGF Bitumen and Tropic Spirit Catering their contributions.”
At the Fred Moule Pavilion in the Cairns Showgrounds, volunteers today packed 700 hampers, which were wrapped yesterday, ready for distribution by local charities and support agencies.
“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 generosity and wish you a very merry Christmas.”
