Pocket money spent on presents for children

Twelve-year-old Lottie Moffat managed to save $90 in pocket money this year – and she spent it all on gifts for children who won’t get anything this Christmas.

Lottie, along with hers peers at Mangorei School in New Plymouth, donated 106 presents to Oranga Tamariki, which is responsible for the well-being of children.

Lottie donated three presents with money she had saved up and also won in a science and maths competition earlier in the year. ‘‘I thought it’s worth spending my money on someone who wouldn’t have something,’’ she said.

Lottie admitted her mum was shocked at how much money she had spent, but said she would rather give presents than spend the money on herself.

Parent Julia McNeil approached the school 10 days ago with an idea to help give back to the community this Christmas.

‘‘I was with a group of parents and we wanted to do something to get the children involved,’’ she said. ‘‘We approached Oranga Tamariki and they had 106 names and we were going to do it among our friendship group but then we thought it would be good to get the school involved and see if we could cover that many gifts.’’

All 106 gifts are wrapped and come with a personalised Christmas card that was written by each of the children.

Francis Far, sight manager for Oranga Tamariki, was at the school to collect the presents on Thursday and said Lottie and the other students should be proud. Far said they had never been approached by a school before and they were grateful the 106 children would be receiving gifts.