Once again the Christmas Giving generosity of Craigs Investment Partners will assist in bringing a little extra cheer to our community after what has been another challenging year for many. As a long-time supporter of communities across the country, Craigs has again donated via their Christmas giving programme to charities in the Top of the South. These donations are made in lieu of sending out Christmas gifts across New Zealand.

Here at Top of the South Community Foundation, we are again assisting our Craigs Blenheim and Nelson branches with their annual giving.  There are six community groups that received the good news that they have received grants to spend on Christmas-related projects.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (Motueka) • Te Pataka (Marlborough) • Lifelinc (Nelson Tasman) • Second Chance Tasman (Nelson Tasman) • Te Pataka (Marlborough) • Marlborough Foodbank CARE Marlborough

Rankeilor Arnott is the coordinator of the Motueka Grandparents Raising Grandchildren group.

She said the Christmas grant was brilliant news to receive as every year it was tough to find the funds which allow them to recognise the amazing work the Grandparents do.

“We are just so grateful to Craigs and to our local Community Foundation. This grant will allow us to buy food vouchers from a local supermarket that will mean our amazing Grandparents will be able to add something special to their Christmas time with the grandchildren.”

“We sincerely thank everyone involved for their generosity”, Rankeilor said.

Another Christmas giving grant recipient was Te Pataka in Marlborough, who were established in June 2020 to address the ongoing needs of the Māori community.

Te Pataka Chair Dr Lorraine Eade was thrilled with the Christmas gift.

“We thank Craigs for this awesome koha,” she said.

“Christmas can be a stressful time for some of the whānau who reach out for kai.  While we provide a basic standard kai pack, it doesn’t include celebration Christmas type food such as a small ham, Christmas cake, or Christmas canes.”

“We’ll use this koha for those whānau who reach out in Christmas week, especially those whānau with children.”

The annual Craigs Christmas Giving is supported by the seventeen Community Foundations around NZ, such as Top of the South Community Foundation.

“It is our pleasure to work with the ToTSCF and Community Foundations of New Zealand to provide support to organisations who are doing such good work in a difficult environment.” Karl Williscroft, Investment Adviser at Craigs.