Shoebox Christmas for Porirua
It might be early, but Pera Barrett wants Porirua to start thinking about Christmas.
Barrett co-ordinates Wellington Shoebox Christmas, a scheme to bring Christmas cheer to children who may miss out.
It has been so successful Barrett has had to start his planning much earlier this year.
‘‘It might be a long time until Christmas, but I left it too late last year.’’
Barrett said the initiative began in Auckland and he felt it could do well in the Wellington region.
‘‘It’s about making a difference for those kids that will be the leaders in your own community,’’ he said.
In December, those that register would get the first name, age and gender of a child and then fill a shoebox with a present for them to open on Christmas Day.
In 2014 Barrett and his BNZ workmates gifted 80 presents to Glenview School in Cannons Creek.
‘‘The next year there were more BNZ people wanting to donate than there were kids so Corinna school was added.
‘‘I didn’t realise how much enjoyment the people giving presents would get from it.’’
Barrett said the region’s generosity meant he was able to approach Women’s Refuge and 40 presents went out to safe houses across the Wellington region.
More than 1400 people had