The 1st day of Christmas

FOSTERING HOPE

It’s easy to get caught up in making sure Christmas Day is as perfect as can be for the ones we love. But take a moment to think about those who don’t have a family to fuss over them this Christmas. Earlier this year the Ministry for Children revealed that more than 6000 Kiwi children were in state care. Many of those youngsters are removed from their homes with nothing more than the clothes on their back or a rubbish bag of belongings.

The Foster Hope charity is helping to show them that there are people who care. Started in 2010 by Auckland woman Louise Allnutt, Foster Hope now has seven branches throughout the country. During the year, volunteers put together special backpacks full of essentials such as toiletries, books, toys and clothing for children who are transitioning into a foster home.

“A lot of these kids have never had their own toothbrush or their own new pair of pyjamas so our little backpacks hopefully show that we as a community love and care for them in what can be an extremely stressful and traumatic time,” says Foster Hope treasurer Debbie Sutcliffe.

The charity has begun a Christmas drive to collect gifts for foster children, including those who enter into emergency service facilities during the Christmas period. Debbie says it is not always a special time for a lot of kids and unwrapping a new toy on Christmas morning can make a world of difference.

You can help by donating new, unwrapped

Christmas presents suitable for newborns through to teenagers, or making a financial donation. For more information visit fosterhope.org.nz.