3BA appeal director Peter Caligari with the Salvation Army’s Bev Hobson, Pauline Prebble, Maree Drennan and Bernie Holloway.
THE 3BA Christmas Appeal continues to break records.
More than $235,000 was raised throughout the 2012 appeal, a $45,000 increase from the previous year’s total.
Appeal director Peter Caligari said the donation of cash, toys, food items and other gifts, of which there was a few still to collect, typified the outstanding generosity of the Ballarat community.
The goods went towards the four biggest welfare agencies in Ballarat – the Salvation Army, Anglicare, UnitingCare and St Vincent de Paul.
More than 3000 families benefit from the donations but sadly, that number continues to rise each year, said Mr Caligari.
“Ballarat has a wonderful track record when it comes to supporting worthy appeals and particularly our less fortunate families,” he said.
“I extend my very sincere appreciation and gratitude to everyone who contributed to the 2012 3BA Christmas appeal and made it such an outstanding success.”
Welfare agency leaders all said they were all shocked but appreciative of the huge amount that had been raised.
“The donations were just outstanding, it was phenomenal,” said the Salvation Army’s Bev Hobson.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au