NSW: A not so merry Christmas for some

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2000
NSW: A not so merry Christmas for some

For about 2,000 Sydney children, Christmas may not be so merry, but for the majority
of families -- including in flood stricken towns -- there is a strong spirit of giving.

Mission Australia says it's significantly down on donations this Christmas compared
to last year and some children can find themselves without a Christmas gift.

Mission Australia spokesman PAUL ANDREWS says for the first time in about a decade,
over 2,000 children are facing a situation where it seems they're not going to get a gift.

But for many others across the state, the situation is not so bleak.

Wesley Mission will next week host Christmas lunches in towns inundated by floods last
month including Narrabri and Gunnedah.

A spokesman for the charity says there's no shortage of gifts or volunteers to pack
and distribute hampers to flood affected families.

And Australia's largest charity, the Salvation Army, says they've also been inundated
with volunteers helping with Christmas lunches, distributing hampers and packing toys.

Spokesman GLENN WHITTAKER says there seems to be a new community spirit on the back
of the Olympics.

AAP RTV sal/ete

KEYWORD: XMAS CHARITIES (SYDNEY)

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