How Bundaberg locals are helping struggling families this Christmas

A clever idea is helping give Bundaberg families struggling after a tough year and with the rising cost of living a better Christmas and maybe even a fresh start.

Natasha Livingstone said she hopes this Christmas will be a fresh start for her family.

A Bundaberg Facebook group ‘Helping the Homeless’ has created a joyful initiative to bring Christmas cheer to local families struggling the most.

It all began from a Facebook post asking members to share any wants and needs for Christmas, with the group administrators lining up community members who may be able to provide that item.

Commenters on the post asked for children’s clothes, beds and Christmas decorations with other group members replying if they had those items available.

Now, the group administrators have nominated families who need the most help, and are doing everything they can to provide the best Christmas they can.

Group administrator Shayler Mcrae said the idea to “adopt” families for Christmas meant they would be able to make sure those who needed help most would get it.

From left: Amy Kelly-Stallan, Keiralee Jobson and Shayler Mcrae run the ‘Helping the Homeless’ Facebook page to bring support to those struggling with homelessness.

“We feel like we can take the stress off a few families for those in the community that don’t feel like they get help from big charities,” she said.

More than 60 people commented on the original swap Facebook post, and Miss Mcrae said they had already identified seven families they could help.

The “adopted” families will be able to share what they need to get through the tough Christmas period, with volunteers donating those items.

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When Natasha Livingstone heard about the initiative she reached out to Miss Mcrae in hopes it would mean she could provide Christmas to her four children.

“Well I have been through probably the worst year of my life,” said Miss Livingstone.

From burglaries to domestic violence, Miss Livingstone was desperate to bring some joy to her children's lives.

Natasha Livingstone said she hopes this Christmas will be a fresh start for her family.

“I reached out for help with having a nice Christmas, some presents if possible and decorations just to try end the year on a more happy note for the kids, we all have been through so much,” she said.

The selfless initiative hopes to bring a little joy to many who have felt the pressures of the rising cost of living, and those who have been impacted by homelessness.

Group administrator Amy Kelly-Stallan said it was about doing what they could to help locals.

“When we put a few ideas together on what we could do to help families in need for Christmas we started to receive heart breaking stories which just showed us how much this is really going to help people,” she said.