Selkirk “wonderfully generous” to Christmas Appeal

OVER 200 more toys have been received by the 3BA Christmas Appeal this week, donated by iconic brick manufacturer, Selkirk.

Budgeting annually to give to the appeal, Selkirk have purchased quality toys for newborns to tweens from Toyworld Howitt Street, and have received extra donations from their staff.

Executive assistant, Karen Osborne has been involved for 12 years. She said the brand’s relationship with the Christmas Appeal is so “worthwhile.

“We’re a community business and we’ve been in Ballarat for 135-plus years, so this is our way of giving back and making sure, where we can, that every child or as many children as possible, get a present for Christmas,” she said.

“We could donate money or other things, but this is our way of making sure that those disadvantaged in Ballarat get something, we hope.

“I think there’d be nothing worse than a little child waking up on Christmas morning and having nothing from Santa. As a parent, that would break my heart.”

Alan West is from beneficiary, St Vincent de Paul. He said the whole appeal has been “working wonders.

“The donations seem to be increasing and people are realising there are many, many problems out there and families doing it tough,” Mr West said.

“That situation is worsening every year and we see a lot of mental health issues, family break ups, domestic violence, and sometimes one leads to the other, but the support from Selkirk and 3BA is just tremendous.”

3BA Christmas Appeal’s Peter Caligari said the care and proactivity of major businesses like Selkirk means many children from less fortunate families can look forward to a visit from Santa.

“Without this type of support, there’d be so many children that wouldn’t have a toy on Christmas day,” he said.

“Selkirk’s management and staff have been wonderfully generous for over 20 years and it’s just a great example of an outstanding corporate citizen here in Ballarat.

“They recognise that there are many families in need, and they are doing something positive to support those families, and in particular the children.”