Girl gives up her gifts to aid animals

A Wellington girl was happy not to receive any presents for her 8th birthday last week. Trelise Neal chose to donate to charity instead.

The schoolgirl is one of the first people to use The Good Registry — a social enterprise that lets you donate your special event to a good cause. Instead of buying presents, the gift givers donate to your profile and the money goes to a charity you pick.

Mum Sue McCabe suggested the idea to Trelise, who at first agreed, then declined, then agreed again.

“She said, ‘I have enough stuff. I’m never bored. And the animals need it’,” McCabe said.

“She loved it. I wondered how she would feel after, whether there’d be any regrets, but she really understood and was happy with her decision.”

Trelise raised $309 for the SPCA. She also had her party there and they gave her a certificate to say thanks.

Her friends congratulated her for her kindness, said McCabe, who is a co-founder of The Good Registry.

“I think she’s feeling like a real giver. Her friends talked to her about how amazing it was that she said no to presents. Her friends still made lovely cards.”

People can donate baby showers, birthdays, weddings or even Christmas, says The Good Registry chief executive Christine Langdon.

She dreamed up the idea while she was cleaning out her closet last year and throwing out unwanted items.

“I thought, ‘This is a cool idea, this is a way to do more good without having to sacrifice anything.’” For more information, visit