The Moana Pasifika Community Team wanted to help spread the Christmas spirit this year, organising a toy drive for children who are part of the Whānau Ora programme.
Throughout November and December toys were collected, with help from The Warehouse Group and donations from the public.
Gifts have been given to over 230 kids. Moana Pasifika superfan Senior Constable Bryan Ward and Senior Constable John Walker delivered a car full of toys for the drive.
Ward has been a fan of Moana Pasifika since 2020. He works in the Rodney District community and still has a jersey from Moana Pasifika’s inaugural match.
“We used to sit in the station meal rooms and we’d be talking, saying wouldn’t it be awesome if Pasifika had a team in the Super Rugby competition,” Ward says.
“Toy drives are really important to me and something I’ve done every year.”
Walker has been in the Police force for 26 years and is passionate about educating kids and helping them to keep safe.
Naturally Moana Pasifika’s toy drive was something he wanted to be a part of.
“I think it’s important that Police are involved in the community, and there’s a great need out there for lots of families. It’s about helping other people.”
Moana Pasifika players also wanted to help spread the Christmas cheer, coming together to wrap the presents.
PMA Group Director of Sports, Leeson Ah Mau, said: “We wanted to help spread positivity this festive season. We know not all children get to experience the joy of Christmas so we wanted to do something special for them.”
“So many people have come together to contribute towards this cause and that’s what Christmas is all about.”
“I would like to say a huge fa’afetai tele lava to The Warehouse Group, Senior Constable Bryan Ward and our generous community who donated toys.”
ENDS
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