Big-hearted NSW greyhound racing clubs and participants are providing festive cheer for vulnerable children and young adults.
Clubs across the state have been hosting a Christmas gift drive for CRANES Community Support Programs and other deserving charities.
Grafton Greyhound Racing Club collected about 200 presents for both CRANES and the city’s St Joseph’s Cowper Home, which provides residential and foster care for young people.
Club secretary Brad Ellis said the event, which was supported by local businesses and the city’s Brothers cricket club, had illustrated the generosity of the greyhound racing fraternity.
“It was wonderful,” he said. “I knew that our participants would get behind such a great cause but that level of support was overwhelming.
“I think we spent about nine hours wrapping all the presents we received. We were certainly kept busy.
“We were happy to be a part of the scheme and to have such backing was brilliant to see.”
The initiative saw participants donating both presents and money, which was then used to buy gifts for the children, to the club.
Presents were labelled with age-suitability and gender tags to ensure appropriateness and given to St Joseph’s and CRANES, which helps run several community assistance projects for people of all ages.
About 70 children supported by both groups attended a festive meeting at the Grafton club last Monday night, enjoying face painting and other fun activities.
They also watched the races and met two retired greyhounds on show as well.
“Both groups said it was a fantastic opportunity to be involved in a community event, which the children don’t get much chance to do,” Ellis said. “That was so pleasing to hear.
“They absolutely loved our retired greyhounds – I think both dogs were buggered by the end of the evening with all the attention they’d received.
“I couldn’t be happier seeing such a resounding response from our participants and it was a fantastic night.”
Other greyhound racing clubs across NSW have been hosting their own collections and hosting similar festive evenings prior to Christmas.
Clarence Valley Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis praised the “wonderful” efforts of the Grafton club and participants.
“The true spirit of Christmas is certainly alive in my electorate,” Mr Gulaptis wrote on his Facebook page.
“This is a wonderful initiative and I congratulate everyone involved.”
