A GENEROUS community response to LJ Hooker's Christmas toy appeal has resulted in more than 40 gifts being delivered to the Paediatric Unit at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
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The real estate business's furry mascot, Mr Hooker Bear, delivered the presents to sick children yesterday, accompanied by LJ Hooker's Port Macquarie team, including Principal Tony Dekker.
"We launched our toy appeal a couple of weeks ago, and couldn't believe the response," Mr Dekker said.
"I think there are a lot of people in Port Macquarie who, this Christmas, were determined to do something special for children in hospital.
"Delivering the gifts to these kids, you realise how lucky most of us are - we have healthy children and grandchildren. We can only imagine how difficult it is for youngsters to be in hospital at this time of the year," Mr Dekker said.
"We opened our business premises as a collection point for toys, and Port Macquarie residents opened their hearts.
"We had presents for every age group. It was an amazing response. It was also great to see the smiles when we walked through the hospital doors."
Paediatric Nurse Unit Manager Cheryl Nolte said the gifts, and the presence of a giant bear, were a wonderful distraction for her young patients.
"I thank Tony and Gloria Dekker and their team for organising the toy appeal and I thank our wonderful community for supporting it. We have young patients from throughout the Camden Haven, the Hastings and the Macleay valleys visit us so Port Macquarie's generosity will reach far and wide."