Rockhampton’s Rocky Wrappers raises over $300k for Heart Foundation

The dedicated volunteers say it’s ‘such a joy’ to be back at it again as they arm themselves with 3km of wrapping paper for a lifesaving cause.

Heart Foundation Christmas wrapping station volunteers Mikayla Stevens, Madeline Roberts, Karen Baker and Angelina Spidy-Brown at Stockland Rockhampton.

The Rocky Wrappers say it is “such a joy” to back at it again.

The group of more than 50 volunteers have each year dedicated their time for the Rockhampton Christmas Wrap at Stockland Rockhampton, with all proceeds going to the Heart Foundation.

Now it its 29th year, the team has just passed a total of more than $300,000 raised for the charity.

The money funds lifesaving heart research and programs to improve the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease – the single biggest killer in Australians.

Volunteer Margaret Whitchurch has been involved with the wrapping station since its inception and Karen Baker joined eight years ago.

Heart Foundation Christmas wrapping station volunteers Mikayla Stevens, Madeline Roberts, Karen Baker and Angelina Spidy-Brown at Stockland Rockhampton.

This year the team expects to use 3km worth of wrapping paper.

“After we’ve wrapped their gifts, locals then kindly leave a donation, which we then donate to the Heart Foundation,” Ms Baker said.

“It’s such a joy to meet people and talk to people – and we put our heart and soul into wrapping their gifts – last year alone we went through approximately 3000m of wrapping paper, 8000 precurled ribbons, 60 large rolls of wide sticky tape and about 5000 gift tags,” Ms Whitchurch said.

“The Rocky Wrap is Rockhampton’s only fundraising event where all proceeds go to the Heart Foundation, so it’s a pretty big deal for all those who are involved – it’s such an important organisation that we love to support, and will continue to support.”

Volunteers for the stand come from Inner Wheel Club of Rockhampton Sunset Inc, The Capricornian, Ergon Energy and CQUniversity.

“We also get quite a lot of donations each year for the Heart Foundation without wrapping people’s gifts which is wonderful – and with people coming to look for our stand each year to have a chat, Marg and I don’t need to send Christmas cards to spread the Christmas cheer – we love talking with everyone and are virtually human Christmas cards,” Ms Baker said.

The Heart Foundation Queensland general manager Sheree Hughes encouraged Rockhampton to support the stand.

“This outstanding effort by the Rocky Wrap team across nearly three decades has undoubtedly contributed to the lifesaving research carried out by Heart Foundation supported researchers during this time,” Ms Hughes said.

“I would like to say a big thank you to the Rocky Wrap team, to Stockland, and to shoppers who have all come together once again to support heart research.”

To donate to the Heart Foundation Holiday Appeal visit: campaign.heartfoundation.org.au/holiday-appeal

DETAILS:

Rockhampton Christmas Wrap

Stockland Rockhampton, outside the Reject Shop

Fundraiser ends at 6pm on Christmas Eve

Facebook: Rockhampton Heart Foundation Christmas Wrapping