Gwenyth, Peter, Fran, Lorna and Danika, from BOQ Cranbourne, are helping spread the Christmas spirit this year. 73510 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Bridget Cook
BANK of Queensland (BOQ) Cranbourne is taking control of Santa’s sleigh early this year to help collect toys and books for disadvantaged children this Christmas.
The Cranbourne branch has teamed up with The Smith Family to help them collect items for children throughout November as part of its national Toy and Book Appeal.
BOQ Cranbourne owner-manager Noel Ridler said he and his team have turned the branch into an official outpost of Santa’s workshop and are ready to accept donations of new toys or books under The Smith Family Christmas tree.
“Christmas is a special time of year for families and is especially exciting for kids of all ages, so it’s heart-breaking to think that some families simply can’t afford to give their children presents on Christmas Day – an experience many Australian families and children may take for granted,” he said.
“This year BOQ is hoping to help The Smith Family deliver more than 14,500 toy and book packs to disadvantaged children around Australia, with the support from generous Australians.
“So to make this happen, The Smith Family and BOQ are grabbing the sleigh reins off Santa eight weeks early to start collecting and delivering toys to make these packs possible.”
All people need to do is drop an unwrapped toy or book into any BOQ branch in the lead up to Christmas.
In the week before Christmas, the gifts will be collected from each BOQ branch and delivered to The Smith Family, whose volunteers will then deliver Toy and Book Packs to children who receive support from The Smith Family’s education, mentoring and vital life skills programs throughout the year.
BOQ Cranbourne is located at 142 High Street, Cranbourne.
