Gift of family time

As one man opened Christmas presents with his family, another spent the morning milking cows.

While Ashburton farmer Chris Ford enjoyed yesterday morning with his children, his second-in-charge, Victor McCarthy, was busy making sure all the cows were milked.

McCarthy offered to do the Christmas shift for his boss.

‘‘I personally was happy to give up my time so he could have it with his family,’’ he said.

McCarthy expected to be able to finish in time to make

Early start: Christmas dinner with his parents and sister in Christchurch.

Ford has offered to do the morning milking on New Year’s Day so the other employee who worked Christmas Day would not have to do the January 1 stint.

Photos: DEAN KOZANIC/FAIRFAX NZ Precious time: Sharemilker Chris Ford offered to workNewYear’s Day so he could spend Christmas Day with his wife Jodi and daughters Leah and Tayla.

Ashburton farm worker Victor McCarthy started work just after4amso he could finish in time to be in Christchurch for dinner.