YOUNG FARMERS in the west have been spreading festive cheer through a shoebox appeal, supporting families who are struggling this Christmas.

Over 270 boxes have been donated as part of ‘Westies Giving Christmas Joy’ shoebox appeal, with the help of members from each of the four districts in the west.

Chair of the west region of SAYFC, Gayle Allan, explained that supporting local communities is at the core of the Young Farmers movement: "All clubs across the Region get involved in a range of community, environmental and fundraising projects, with hundreds of members volunteering their time, energy and skills to help others.

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"It gives clubs the opportunity to achieve a goal that requires teamwork, organisation and dedication to make their cause a success. The end goal is that successful projects strengthen Young Farmers links within their local communities and in turn it promotes a positive image of the organisation as a whole."

With this in mind, Gayle created ‘Westies giving Christmas joy’ and tasked clubs from across the west with a community action challenge of creating 200 shoebox gifts to donate this Christmas.

"Christmas is a time of excitement, joy and hope but for many it is a tough season for numerous reasons," she continued.

"For some the festive season means added pressure, especially when it comes to financial strain. Many family’s across the country find themselves struggling to make ends meet and because of this, gifts are seen as a luxury that many simply cannot afford. As a result, many children go without on Christmas Day."

She added that through the shoebox appeal she hoped it would provide children with a special gift to open on Christmas morning.

"The challenge was set to each district and we would be working in collaboration with ‘Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas Appeal’ where our boxes would eventually be donated to.

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"I can’t believe the uptake we’ve had from clubs and members. The aim was for 200 boxes across the west and that target was well and truly smashed with an amazing 270 boxes donated in total. I’m truly thankful to each club and member who has made a difference in a persons life by creating a box and providing a helping hand to those who find themselves less fortunate this year," she continued. "After all, unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly and most underrated act of human change.

"These boxes will certainly make a child happy this Christmas morning and cash for kids couldn’t believe the sheer number of boxes we had made as well as the attention to detail placed on each and every one.

"A point that I’m taking away for this experience is that no one has ever become poor by giving and I am exceptionally proud of all my west members for the time, effort and commitment they have showed while taking part in this challenge," she concluded.