Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadolt and Declan Lawton-Dutt (9) are about to enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch at the Pacific Island Advisory and Cultural Trust Centre, in Invercargill yesterday. PHOTO: VALU MAKA.
Sir Tim said it was good to see the event happen after a two-year break.
He described the event as "inspirational" as it showed a niche market of people who wanted to celebrate Christmas but had nowhere else to go, he said.
"There’s a lot of people who wanted to celebrate Christmas and this was an occasion where we could welcome them."
Co- organiser Linda Howard said they were thrilled the event had gone ahead after the threat of postponement due to Covid-19 restrictions.
"We are so happy it has arrived after eight weeks in the making and not being sure whether it would happen, but there are 60 people who have attended."
The SBS Bank funded $2500 and members of the public donated another $650 to support the lunch, Ms Howard said.
