St John WA helps to make it a merry Christmas for West Australian kids

Hundreds of presents for children who might otherwise go without this Christmas will be handed over by St John WA today for Anglicare WA to distribute to families facing hardship.St John WA team members have donated gifts through the 2023 Giving Tree partnership, collecting presents at stations, depots and offices around the state.

The gifts will be transported from St John WA’s Belmont headquarters to Anglicare WA in East Perth this afternoon, before the donations are sorted by volunteers from Horizon Power and distributed across the metropolitan area.

In addition, St John WA stations in Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Albany, Broome, Karratha and Kununurra will make deliveries of donations directly to Anglicare WA offices in the towns this week.

This is the fifth year St John WA has partnered with Anglicare WA for the Giving Tree appeal, with more than 3000 gifts donated to children and young people in that time.

Anglicare WA Chief Executive Officer Mark Glasson said this year, more than ever, families were doing it tough and the presents would provide Christmas cheer to hundreds of children across the state.

“The rising cost of living means more families are struggling to put food on the table and presents under the tree this Christmas,” Mr Glasson said.

“These gifts will bring Christmas cheer to children whose families are experiencing hardship and finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

“Last year, Anglicare WA supported more than 20,000 children and young people experiencing hardship – and we know this number is only going to grow due to the increased demand for our services.”

St John WA Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brown said the Giving Tree partnership reflected the organisation’s mission to ‘serve humanity’.

“These generous donations will mean hundreds of Western Australian children will get to enjoy opening a present on Christmas morning,” Mr Brown said.

“Not only do St John WA people provide a vital community service, but they are often the very same people who lend a hand to those in need.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy summer. For the St John WA team working during this holiday period, we thank you for your time away from loved ones whilst serving the WA community.”