Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER

Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER
HomeNewsKids charity helping make Christmas bright

Kids charity helping make Christmas bright

Children’s charity Our Village has launched its annual fundraiser, hoping to help every child experience the joy of Christmas.

Our Village’s 2025 Festive Appeal, one the organisation’s major annual fundraising events, comes as 835 children wait for urgently needed essentials.

The charity supported more than 22,000 babies and children last year with $8.5 million worth of items such as clothing, linen, prams, car restraints, high chairs and cots.

But Our Village, which receives up to 50 requests for help each day, is currently facing a demand far exceeding its capacity.

Our Village chief executive Ruth Holdaway said no child should miss out on the magic of Christmas.

“There are hundreds of babies and children who don’t even have the essentials that most of us take for granted,” she said.

“We urgently need funds to help us deliver safety, dignity and a little festive magic before Christmas.”

Our Village was formed in May last year by the merger of three charities – Geelong Mums, Eureka Mums and St Kilda Mums – with the intent to expand their community reach.

Ms Holdaway said every donation, no matter how small, could help “turn hardship into hope”.

“This appeal is about restoring dignity, wrapping children in care, letting them know that they’re seen and valued, and reminding parents and carers they’re not alone,” she said.

Visit ourvillage.org.au to donate to the 2025 Festive Appeal.

Digital Edition
Subscribe

Get an all ACCESS PASS to the News and your Digital Edition with an online subscription

Land sale feedback wanted

Golden Plains Shire intends to sell council-owned land at 132 Milton Street, Bannockburn and wants community feedback. The vacant parcel of 3.5 hectares in the...
More News

Community heroes nominated

Golden Plains Shire has announced nominations for its Community Awards 2026. The awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional contributions made by individuals and groups. Young community...

Top-order stability for Grove

Openers Shaun Fankhauser and Dan Roddis combined for their third major partnership in a row to catapult Ocean Grove to an eight-wicket derby win...

World star leads Drysdale to victory

Led by 2024 world No 1 Kelsey Cottrell, Drysdale is four points outside the Geelong Bowls Region Premier Pennant top four after upsetting Ocean...

500 games for Anglesea legend

Anglesea Cricket Club legend Mark Stoneham’s 499 games have always been played in the right spirit. Competitive, but scrupulously fair, the 62-year-old is still making...

A cry for truth

A Geelong rally and march will share First Nations history along with the reasons behind calls to change the date of Australia Day. ...

Round 10 cricket scoreboards

All the scores, run makers and wicket takers from round 10 of Geelong Cricket Association and Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association played on Saturday 17...

Hands-on learning for Whittington kids

Whittington Primary School students recently had the opportunity to explore healthy living, food value and sustainable choices at Geelong Botanic Gardens. The gardens team partnered...

Lara times run chase to perfection

Lara closed in on a GCA1 top four spot with a superbly timed run chase against St Peters in round 10 on Saturday 17...

Library chief resigns

Geelong Regional Libraries chief executive Vanessa Schernickau will finish up on 27 February, announcing her resignation after more than five years in the role. A...

Dragons can get better: skipper

Despite being unbeaten and sitting on top of the GCA2 ladder, Bell Park captain Jamie Spiller said his side is “definitely not the finished...