- More than 30,000 Christmas presents donated since 2012 to children and young people in out-of-home care
- 5,800 Christmas presents will be delivered across the State - a record number of donations
- Initiative supported by Ministers, Government agencies and the private sector
The State Government's annual Christmas Present Drive for vulnerable children and young people has delivered more than 30,000 gifts since the initiative first started in 2012.
The milestone includes a record number of donations, with more than 5,800 gifts for children and young people on Christmas Day this year.
The annual Christmas Present Drive, organised by the Department of Communities, is a cross-Government and cross-agency effort that delivers thousands of presents across Western Australia each year to children and young people in care or who are currently receiving family support from the department.
The WA Police Force plays an essential role in delivering gifts to remote and regional areas via the WA Police Air Wing and road transportation, with over 30 per cent of this year's gifts going to children in regional WA.
Transwa has also come onboard this year with the Prospector train delivering presents to Kalgoorlie, while Woolworths and their transportation partner, Primary Connect, will be shipping presents to Newman, Roebourne, South Hedland, Karratha, Kununurra and Derby.
The present drive continues to grow each year thanks to generous donations and participation from Ministerial offices, as well as Government departments, agencies and private sector donations.
As stated by Child Protection Minister Sabine Winton:
"Every Western Australian child deserves to feel special at Christmas, and this initiative is one way we can make that happen.
"Achieving a new record number of presents to children in care shows just how much care and effort has gone into this gift drive over the years.
"It is heartwarming to watch the drive grow each and every year, and it wouldn't be possible without the generosity of partnering departments, agencies and organisations.
"The Cook Government is proud of how far this initiative has come, and we'll keep building on it year after year to make Christmas brighter for children in care in WA."
