Charities to lose out this Christmas

Charities will miss out this year as fewer donations are expected with 20 per cent
of Australians indicating that they will donate less this year.
Australian children are still expected to do well with parents planning to spend an
average of $235.18 on each of their children this Christmas, up from $227.72 last
year, according to the second annual Kmart Christmas Giving Index released on
Sunday.
Western Australian parents spend the most on their children while Victorian parents
spend the least, according to this survey.
The survey also found that Australians are more generous with their children than
New Zealanders - Australian parents spent 53 per cent more per child than parents in
New Zealand.
The news for charities is bleak, with 20 percent of Australians indicating in the
survey that they will donate less to charity this Christmas compared with last year
and only nine percent claim that they will donate more.
Furthermore, almost two thirds (64 per cent) of Australians indicated the costs
associated with Christmas impact the amount of money they donate to charity.
"Australians are very generous at Christmas time and, naturally, parents are keen to
provide their children with an enjoyable Christmas Day.
"However, while many children are unwrapping their presents, thousands of other less
fortunate children around the country will, sadly, not get the chance to open
anything," said Salvation Army Major Brad Halse.
"Interestingly, 51 per cent of respondents indicated they are more likely to donate
to charities that support children. We hope this translates into support for
initiatives such as the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, which has helped struggling
families over the past 22 years," he said.
Kmart Managing Director Guy Russo said that added financial pressures over the past
year such as interest rates, electricity prices and other household expenses, meant
that a growing number of Australians aren't in a position to support their families
this year for Christmas.
"It's up to all of us to chip in where we can and help put smiles back on the faces
of those who may otherwise go without on Christmas day," Mr Russo said.
1027 Australians and 513 New Zealanders aged 18 years and over were surveyed on
behalf of the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal by Lonergan Research in early November.