Lifeballers net big haul to help families

EXPECT the Christmas tree at Ballina Kmart to have more presents than usual under it this year.

For much of this year, members of the Ballina-Lennox Lifeball group have been collecting presents as part of the Salvation Army's Kmart wishing tree appeal.

The Salvos are trying to collect 500,000 presents annually through the wishing tree to help families in need during Christmas.

The Ballina-Lennox Lifeball group have certainly done their bit towards helping the Salvos reach that number, with the group doubling the number of presents they collected last year.

The presents were delivered to Ballina Kmart last week, with Lifeball co-ordinator Yvonne Haines saying she was pleased the group's members had been so keen to get behind the present drive.

"It's wonderful they want to be involved in it," she said.

Ms Haines said that, for her, Christmas was all about helping others.

"I know a lot of people don't get a gift at Christmas, so to get one small thing, I hope it makes them smile," she said.

"I just love helping people."

Ballina-Lennox Lifeball is now in recess until next year.