What's New November 24, 2022

Canberra’s MIX106.3 packs the bus for families in need this festive season

Reporter

Everyone deserves a Christmas, so Transport Canberra, MIX106.3 and Communities at Work are getting on board together this festive season by packing a Transport Canberra bus with essential food items and toys for kids of families in need.

Pack the Bus will be hitting the roads from this Monday, November 28, for three weeks. The bus will be driven around the region, collecting much needed items for those in need this holiday season.

The Transport Canberra bus will be hard to miss, with its festive wrap of presents, Santa and – of course – some real kangaroos to help pull the sleigh.

Santa and his helpers will collect donated goods from registered workplaces, retail outlets and schools every weekday over a two week period between 9am and 3pm. Items will be distributed through local charity organisation Communities at Work.

“Many Canberrans and those in surrounding regions have been impacted by COVID-19. We want to play our part in supporting those who may be having a hard time this Christmas,” says Ian McGlinn, Executive Branch Manager Bus Operations, Transport Canberra.

“Many people are still balancing working from home and the office, so we have partnered with MIX106.3 to make it easier for Canberrans to drop their donated gifts and food items at local collection points.”

Canberra FM General Manager Craig Wagstaff says MIX106.3 is delighted to be involved.

“We appreciate the significant support of Transport Canberra and every one of the commercial partners that have made it possible.”

Ruth Zanker, Communities at Work Director of Social Programs and Volunteering, says the organisation is very excited to be partnering once again with MIX106.3 and Transport Canberra for its 2022 Christmas Appeal.

“Last year, thanks to the Pack the Bus initiative, we almost doubled the number of organisations who set up Giving Trees to collect donations for our appeal. Together, we collected 10,000 gift and food items for people in need.”

To find out more, just head here.