Local ‘fairy godmothers’ make Christmas wishes come true

SURF Coast “fairy godmothers” Gail McCully and Liza Graham are back at it again this year, ensuring no child misses out on gifts this Christmas with their “Adopt a Surfcoaster” program.

“There so many people doing it tough,” Ms Graham said.

“It’s not just people that are terminally ill or [have] just lost their parent. There’s a lot of families, but also people, that are just struggling to put food on the table, let alone bring the magic for their kids at Christmas time.”

Now in its ninth year, the program operates through a Facebook page, where the team share the requests of local families and its followers quickly rally to fulfil those requests.

“This community never ceases to amaze me. There are so many people that are willing to help,” Ms Graham said.

“Some people can only afford one little thing and some people can afford to buy for a whole family.

“It’s like the whole village is coming together to help those families in this time.”

Ms Graham said the families the program supports come from all different walks of life. Some reach out directly for assistance, while others are referred through local schools and community centres.

Great care is taken to ensure the families seeking assistance remain anonymous.

“There’s no shame or embarrassment; it’s the last thing we want because people go through hard times.”

 

 

Last year, the initiative supported 60 families across the region, marking its biggest year to date.

Similar numbers are anticipated this year, with 20 families already registered.

“What’s been the most beautiful thing this year, is a couple of people that we’ve helped in the past have this year come and said, ‘I’m on my feet and I’m in a great position and I want to give back, so I want to adopt a family’,” Ms Graham said.

“It’s been so beautiful to see the cycle.”

McCartney Real Estate in Torquay will once again host a wishing tree where gifts can be dropped off, while Surf Coast Community Bank will this year provide drop off locations in Winchelsea and Anglesea.

Several other local businesses such as Rip Curl, Ghanda and Flying Start Children’s Therapy, have thrown their support behind the initiative, and the generous donation of a warehouse space this year will enable the team to expand its reach and help every family located in the Surf Coast Shire in need.

“If you or anyone you know needs some help… reach out,” Ms Graham said. “It’s completely anonymous and we’re here to support the community.

“Or, if you’re someone in the community and you do have a little bit extra in your budget and you would like to give a gift to a child, then jump on our page or drop a stocking stuffer off at one of the [drop off] locations.”

For more information, or to request support this Christmas, head to the Adopt a Surfcoaster Facebook page, or email [email protected]