A talk from a Christchurch district court judge inspired local court staff to pitch in for Christmas presents for Otago and Canterbury children.
Judge Jane McMeeken spoke to Dunedin District Court staff earlier this year about the struggles young people in supported accommodation often faced at Christmas.
Led by court registry officer Lyn Shewan, security officer Terri-Li Nicolson and Judge Kevin Phillips, the court staff decided their annual fundraising efforts should go towards buying Christmas presents for some of those children.
Staff, judges and some local counsel pitched in to raise $700 for the cause.
The 52 gift sets totalled about $1500.
The Warehouse in central Dunedin agreed to make up the difference.
One of its staff members also wrapped the presents.
Fundraising initiatives throughout the year included lotto draws, raffles and sausage sizzles.
Court staff also compiled food boxes for Presbyterian Support Otago, as they did every year, and held mufti days to raise money for the youth counselling service Chat Bus.
In the past two years, court staff had raised funds for the Dunedin night shelter and Women's Refuge.
