Cairns to the Cape 2023

Cairns to the Cape 2023

Cairns to the Cape 2023 is completed! In late October we delivered 48 buckets filled with fishing gear to Churches of Christ, ready for transportation to foster families. Thank you so much to everyone who participated to make this possible.

Cairns to the Cape

We are excited to be partnering with Churches of Christ for our Cairns to the Cape Christmas appeal! Help us bring joy to children, young people, foster and kinship carers across Cape York this Christmas.

This year we have a special focus on fishing gear! Churches of Christ support workers know that foster families love fishing and it is a great relationship-building and community-building activity. We will fill buckets with hooks, sinkers, hand lines, tea and bikkies and send them to families.

What is Cairns to the Cape?

The Churches of Christ Children, Youth and Families division is based in Cairns and serves all foster children and families in Aurukun, Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama, Weipa, Napranum, Mapoon and Lockhart River. They also serve some foster families in Cairns. Children belong in safe and caring homes, but families are complicated and some face significant challenges that mean it’s not safe for children and young people to remain at home. Even while children cannot stay at home, Churches of Christ support them to build positive, healthy relationships with their family through the committed support of foster and kinship carers.

It is thanks to these dedicated individuals and families that children and young people are able to grow and find belonging in their community. Our church is going to bless and encourage them by sending a Christmas fishing bucket for each foster family!

How do I participate?

It’s super simple:

  1. Choose a foster family from the list and collect a gift bucket on Sunday (or decide to buy a few items or make an optional donation to contribute to the project).
  2. Use the shopping list we provide to go shopping for items to put in the bucket!
  3. Return the gifts by Sunday 15th October.

READY TO START?

Tap here and fill out the form.

What should I buy?

We want to fill these gift buckets to help foster families go fishing together. Fishing is a great relationship-building and community-building activity. We will fill each bucket with hooks, sinkers, hand lines, tea and bikkies and send them to foster families.

Please buy some things from both of the lists below to put in the gift bucket. Don’t feel like you have to fill the bucket, only buy what you’re able to.

Suggested fishing gear to buy
  • A fishing starter kit with a variety of items (this is often good value for money)
  • Sinkers (these are highly sought after!)
  • Hand lines
  • Fishing line
  • Hooks
  • Lures
  • Cast net
Additional things you can buy
  • Non perishable biscuits (in particular – shortbread or Christmas themed biscuits)
  • Tea bags
  • Hot chocolate
  • Sugar (for cups of tea)
  • Tin mugs
  • Small first aid kit

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there anything I am not allowed to buy?

Please do not buy any knives, anything easily breakable or food that melts easily or will perish in the next 6 months. You can wrap items with clear cellophane, but don’t fully seal the wrapping as each item needs to be checked by staff before delivery. Please don’t buy any items that are too big, or in quantities that prevent the lid from staying closed.

Can I put in bibles, scriptures, or items about Jesus?

We want to respect and honour the reality that some Aboriginal communities may still suffer effects of historical harm by churches. Our goal is not to evangelise, but to show a simple expression of love and generosity – the recipients will know the gifts come from a church community who cares.

Will the recipients know who bought the gifts for them?

Churches of Christ support workers will personally deliver the gift bucket you have filled to each family and explain where the gifts are from. If you include a hand-written Christmas greeting card please only include your first names (e.g. from Nick and Sarah). For any gift buckets made up of contributions from a number of people, we’ll include a card with the first names of those people.

How will the gift buckets get to Cape York?

East Air has offered to fly the gifts to remote communities! Local support workers with Churches of Christ will collect the buckets and personally deliver them to families.

How can I make a financial donation to cover any additional costs?

You can give towards this project by credit card on our website (select “Cairns to the Cape donation”) or at the Info Desk on Sundays, or by placing cash in a marked envelope in a Giving Box. Any financial donations to Cairns to the Cape will cover any additional costs of the project.

I have more questions or need help.

Contact us and we will get back to you asap.

0 Comments

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *