St Joseph's Nudgee College

November 17, 2008

Members of the St Joseph's Nudgee College UK Rugby Development Squad helped kick off the 21st annual Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal last Wednesday.

The appeal, whose welfare group partner is the Salvation Army, was officially launched by radio personality Jamie Dunn and the Salvation Army's Divisional Commander for South Queensland Major Wayne Maxwell.

The Kmart Wishing Tree appeal has benefited 4.14 million people since its inception and celebrates its 21st birthday in 2008.

To mark the milestone 21 members of the Nudgee College UK Development Squad, which travels to the UK later this month, joined QR Reds coach Phil Mooney and players Mark McLinden, Ben Lucas, Will Genia and Nudgee College Old Boy Blair Connor in kicking 21 balls simultaneously.

They were encouraged in their kicks by "Santa", also known as former Wallabies captain Chris "Buddha" Handy.

Year 11 student Ben Stockwell also helped launch the appeal by acting as the official Nudgee College Salvation Army spokesperson.

Ben has been involved in several social justice activities during his time at the College and joined fellow members of Riley House in helping to raise funds for the Salvation Army earlier this year by participating in its annual Red Shield Appeal.

"The Salvation Army is a Riley House charity and Riley house members have been helping to raise money for them for the past 12 years," he said.

"We door knock in the local streets around the College during the Red Shield appeal. The other boys are usually pretty keen to get involved and we raise a fair bit of money which is good."

Major Maxwell said the Kmart Wishing Tree appeal gives hope to a whole lot of people around the country, particularly at Christmas when things can be particularly hard.

"Last year 50,000 gifts were given in Brisbane and these were then distributed to needy families all over Queensland," Major Maxwell said.

"This year we are aiming for 350,000 gifts Australia wide."

Major Maxwell also said seeing the joy on the faces of families who would not otherwise have had a Christmas was an incredible sight that could not be seen without the generosity of individuals.

"It's just an incredible sight when you give them their gift. The kid's mouths drop open and there are tears in the parent's eyes," he said.

Those wishing to contribute should leave a gift under the Christmas Wishing Tree located at the front of any Kmart store. Simply take a gift tag from the tree to identify the appropriate gender and age of a suitable recipient and place it with your gift.

Alternatively, donors can make a cash donation at any Kmart store register. Cash donations will be converted by Kmart into Kmart gift cards, allowing appeal recipients to choose their own Christmas gift. Gifts will then be distributed by The Salvation Army to people in need.

The 2008 Appeal will run until Christmas Eve.