9,000 gifts desperately needed for kiwi kids

9,000 gifts desperately needed for kiwi kids who will not get present from santa

The Wishing Tree Appeal's participating charities, The Salvation Army and Barnardos, need 15,000 gifts to meet the expected demand. To date the appeal has raised 6,000 gifts, 9,000 gifts short of the target.

Last year The Wishing Tree Appeal donated more than 11,500 gifts to needy kiwis through The Salvation Army and Barnardos.

Lt. Colonel Don Oliver of The Salvation Army, says "There are more than 20,000 families living below the poverty line in New Zealand. We are now fully involved in making up Christmas gifts and distributing to needy people. Each year the need seems to be greater and hopefully we will have enough gifts to help those New Zealanders who will not be able to share in the joy of Christmas due to financial hardship or other unfortunate circumstances. New Zealander's have been very generous in the past, my hope is that they will respond to this cry for help".

The Wishing Tree Appeal will collect gifts for people in need up until Christmas Eve.

To participate in the Appeal, simply place a gift under The Wishing Tree at any Kmart store.

The Wishing Tree Appeal has distributed more than 60,000 gifts over the past 8 years.

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