It wasn’t sleigh bells ringing around the streets on Monday night, it was tooting, the call for items for the annual County Lions of Ashburton Toot for Tucker.
Despite a cost of living crisis, residents throughout the streets of Ashburton, Lake Hood, Hinds and Fairton donated generously.
The 25th annual collection brought in about 495 boxes of items, a similar number to last year.
Car after car, some towing trailers, pulled up outside the home industry shed at the Ashburton A&P Showgrounds with full boxes and bags.
A busy team unloaded the nonperishable items, pet food and toiletries, destined for three foodbanks – Presbyterian Support, St Vincent De Paul, Salvation Army.
Members of Ashburton Cadet Unit and Air Training Corp, Scouts, Cubs, Guides, Rangers, Boys Brigade, Lions, and Mayfield School pupils joined about 200 others to help with the collection.
County Lions of Ashburton Toot for Tucker organiser Julie McKimmie said ‘‘it was wonderful to see the trucks and trailer loads of boxes heading off to the foodbanks’’.
‘‘It was great to see so many younger people, who were so well mannered, turning up to help,’’ McKimmie said.
For those with items still to give, drop off at Property Brokers Ashburton at 217 West St or one of the foodbanks.
