NSW: Free Christmas lunches for Sydney's needy

AAP General News (Australia)
12-25-2003
NSW: Free Christmas lunches for Sydney's needy

The spirit of Christmas will be celebrated around Sydney today with free lunches and
gifts for the city's less fortunate.

Over 3,000 people are expected to gather in the grounds of the Ashfield Uniting Church
in Sydney's inner west for its annual traditional Christmas Day lunch.

A spokesman says the festivities will run from 11.30pm (AEDT) to 3pm and Santa will
also be there with gifts for everyone.

The Salvation Army will also hold a free Christmas Day lunch from midday in the grounds
of Redfern Public School.

Over 100 volunteers will be involved in the lunch and Telstra will have mobiles so
people attending can make a free call to family or friends anywhere in Australia.

There will also be carols and activities for the children, a spokesman said.

The Children's Hospital at Westmead have also invited Santa to visit over 100 children
who are too ill to go home for Christmas.

AAP RTV kjd/wz

KEYWORD: XMAS NEEDY (SYDNEY)

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