WIRAC appeals for Giving Tree donations

WIRAC has transformed into a purple and green Christmas wonderland this year.

By Jess Baker

Nursing home residents have been hit harder than most during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many closed off from family and friends for months on end.

Staff members at Warwick Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Centre (WIRAC) understand that as restrictions ease and Christmas nears, human connection becomes increasingly important and, in recognition of this, has set up a Giving Tree in their foyer.

WIRAC is now calling on the community to come and leave gifts for aged care residents under the tree.

Organiser of the initiative and admin coordinator at WIRAC Terri Gilbert says she hopes the gifts will spread some cheer to the community after what has been a particularly tough year.

“We’ve been pretty lucky – most of has have been virtually unaffected by Covid-19, but our elderly have really struggled having no visitors and little to do,” says Terri.

“So we thought we’d get people to donate some gifts and we’ll deliver them to the aged care facilities on Christmas Eve.”

The number of facilities WIRAC is able to visit will depend entirely on the number of donations received, but Terri hopes to be able to visit multiple.

“We’ve got a nice arrangement of gifts already, but we’d like to be able to give gifts to residents at several facilities,” says Terri.

WIRAC has decorated the centre with ornaments donated from the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society, which Terri hopes will encourage people to visit the Giving Tree.

“We thought this would be a lovely way to show children what Christmas giving is all about,” she says.

Most of the gift recipients will be women, says Terri, so she encourages people to donate unisex gifts or gifts for women.

For further enquiries, contact WIRAC at 07 4661 7955 or visit during opening hours.