Christmas Joy at Community Mental Health

February 28, 2010

Staff at Community Mental Health (CMH) were amazed when StarLight turned up out of the blue with a fantastic array of Christmas presents for people who use mental health services.

Kathy Simpson started StarLight in Auckland where she gathered presents for mental health clients for about 10 years. “I have a heart for those who don’t often have a friend.”

Clinical coordinator Heidi Graham said, “We are very grateful to StarLight and all the businesses that donated the gifts.”

When Kathy moved to Manawatu she found someone to take over her Auckland commitments and with the help of Cathy Barker began canvassing for donations in the MidCentral District Health Board region.

She started her collection with 24 piles of goodies based on the 24 beds in ward 21 - the Acute Mental Health Ward.

Her hand-written requests for donations brought more and more until there were six boxes full. This meant mental health was able to distribute gifts to MidCentral mental health community services also.

Gifts included: hand knitted soft toys, patchwork quilts, socks and chocolates. Cathy Barker was the main architect of the gingerbread houses although Kathy Simpson was also up until midnight helping put the finishing touches on these.

At the same time StarLight has gathered presents from the Hawkes Bay DHB region for mental health patients in the Hawkes Bay area as well.