A Border service provider is afraid the financial strains of COVID-19 may dampen Christmas for some vulnerable families this year, but says the spirit of giving can go long way to brightening the holiday.
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Uniting's Kaily Goodsell said she expected a greater demand for support for struggling families this Christmas due to COVID-19.
"There's been moratoriums and holds on their loans, but they're all being removed now," she said.
"And as we know the Centrelink payments have been reduced, and all of this is coming together and Christmas might be the victim of COVID."
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For the third time this year, the Albury SS&A club is hosting a Giving Tree and Uniting will give the presents to parents struggling to buy presents for their children.
Ms Goodsell encouraged the community to show their support and donate a gift to put under the Giving Tree at the SS&A Club by December 17.
"We've seen hundreds of children benefit from this over the last three years and families who are in despair, particularly at Christmas time, its really rough on them and they have a real sense of hopelessness," she said.
"So the participation with the SS&A provides hope for these people, which is something that at Christmas time we all need."
Similarly, the Albury Police have relaunched their Christmas appeal to donate presents to children hospitalised on Christmas Day.
Nurse unit manager Sam Peet encouraged people to drop unwrapped toys suitable for children aged up to 16 years old to the Albury Police Station before December 20.
"Last year we had truckloads of toys come to the hospital, so it was really like Santa had visited," she said.
"It's a hard enough thing at the moment with COVID and all the restrictions to end up in hospital for Christmas, so I think any little thing that brings big smiles to the kids is amazing."
Ms Peet said children's ward had 16 beds and there'd likely be about 10 children in hospital on Christmas Day.
Sergeant Troy Martin said whatever presents were left over would be handed out throughout next year when children came in for surgery.
"It's a hard time during COVID and all the restrictions and that, but it's amazing the support we get from the community," he said.
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