Christmas came early for some lucky Newcastle families this week when a group of Newcastle Knights embarked on a special shopping expedition of a different kind.
Players James McManus, Matt Minto, Jake Mamo and Chanel Matautia approached unsuspecting shoppers randomly at Westfield Kotara and offered to foot the bill for their Christmas shopping.
The surprise visits were a welcome gesture for all of the gracious recipients who were thrilled to be treated to an early Christmas present from the Knights.
For Kade and Cherelle Adison, the Knights offer to pay for her childrens presents has made a big difference to their familys Christmas.
The couple has four young children including seven-year-old twins.
This is just amazing, my husband has been off work sick so we havent had income for about four months. Its a wonderful help, especially because one of our twins has special needs, Cherelle said.
We would never buy our kids presents like this.
Gary and Margaret Croker were shopping to put Christmas stockings together for their four grandchildren and were surprised to see their beloved Knights offer to pay.
Its a surprise thats for sure. Ive been a Knights member since 1988, so it was great to have a chat to them, Gary said.
Sue and Greg Morgan were shopping for a present for their 6-month-old granddaughters first Christmas.
The Knights good deed couldnt have come at a better time for the Morgans.
Our oven has died and our washing machine needs repairs so it will help a lot. This is just fantastic. It feels like weve won the lotto, Sue said.
The players enjoyed meeting the secret Santa recipients and the opportunity to give back to the community.
To see the reaction from everyone was very special, its amazing the difference something like this can make to a familys Christmas, James McManus said.
This has been a great way to spread Christmas cheer. Ive loved seeing the look on peoples faces when weve offered to help them out, Matt Minto added.
Brad and Kate Maynard were ecstatic to meet the players and have them buy toys for their kids, Reece and Lucy.
Its awesome to just see the players in their hats with big smiles on their faces and to have a chat, Kate said.
Its a great help this time of year.
The Knights Secret Santa activity was a fantastic success. The Knights thank Westfield, the NRL and the happy shoppers for their involvement.
Watch the shoppers reactions as the players tell them their Christmas shopping is on them.
Players James McManus, Matt Minto, Jake Mamo and Chanel Matautia approached unsuspecting shoppers randomly at Westfield Kotara and offered to foot the bill for their Christmas shopping.
The surprise visits were a welcome gesture for all of the gracious recipients who were thrilled to be treated to an early Christmas present from the Knights.
For Kade and Cherelle Adison, the Knights offer to pay for her childrens presents has made a big difference to their familys Christmas.
The couple has four young children including seven-year-old twins.
This is just amazing, my husband has been off work sick so we havent had income for about four months. Its a wonderful help, especially because one of our twins has special needs, Cherelle said.
We would never buy our kids presents like this.
Gary and Margaret Croker were shopping to put Christmas stockings together for their four grandchildren and were surprised to see their beloved Knights offer to pay.
Its a surprise thats for sure. Ive been a Knights member since 1988, so it was great to have a chat to them, Gary said.
Sue and Greg Morgan were shopping for a present for their 6-month-old granddaughters first Christmas.
The Knights good deed couldnt have come at a better time for the Morgans.
Our oven has died and our washing machine needs repairs so it will help a lot. This is just fantastic. It feels like weve won the lotto, Sue said.
The players enjoyed meeting the secret Santa recipients and the opportunity to give back to the community.
To see the reaction from everyone was very special, its amazing the difference something like this can make to a familys Christmas, James McManus said.
This has been a great way to spread Christmas cheer. Ive loved seeing the look on peoples faces when weve offered to help them out, Matt Minto added.
Brad and Kate Maynard were ecstatic to meet the players and have them buy toys for their kids, Reece and Lucy.
Its awesome to just see the players in their hats with big smiles on their faces and to have a chat, Kate said.
Its a great help this time of year.
The Knights Secret Santa activity was a fantastic success. The Knights thank Westfield, the NRL and the happy shoppers for their involvement.
Watch the shoppers reactions as the players tell them their Christmas shopping is on them.
