"It never gets easier."
Northland charity Bald Angels have outlined some of the "heartbreaking" stories of families in need as they prepare to deliver packages to 400 families and 1300 children today.
An emotional Jenny-May Clarkson barely held back tears as she heard about those who would be receiving the gifts, including an 11-year-old who requested shampoo and conditioner on their wish list.
Bald Angels founder Therese Wickbom told Breakfast around 3400 boxes would be packed today, plus gifts for 400 families and 1300 tamariki across the north.
"This is our tenth year doing this... and it never gets easier in terms of the stories we hear," she said.
"We shared last time that an 11-year-old had asked for shampoo and conditioner on the wish list, which is heartbreaking," she began, "but what we didn't share is that 11-year-old, her mum is dying of cancer... and I'm going to get all emotional, I should have started with a different story...," she said.
Clearly affected by the account, Clarkson said it makes her reflect on the families who are "doing it tough".
"The hospice worker suggests that we get a lovely frame for this young lady, so that she could frame a picture of her mama. And our volunteers got a framemaker to make a frame to gift her," Wickbom said.
"This young, beautiful mama... and a young child possibly left at Christmas time without her mum," she said.
Bald Angels trustee Irene Cooper, a granddaughter of Dame Whina Cooper, said there was clearly a "running theme" in her family for giving to others that she called a "part of my DNA".
"My grandmother was all about the children, all about the importance of parenting and taking care of them. Understanding what they see, what they hear, how they feel, and how that resonates and grows our children to shape Aotearoa.
"Those are her words and such a big life that she had... We're doing everything we can in this space to help our vulnerable families of the Far North," Cooper said.
Cooper said they were trying to bring some happiness to these families and it was going to be a "great day".
Wickbom said the Givealittle page is still available if people would like to donate and that "anything we can do to help our rangatahi makes a difference to all of Aotearoa".
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