Give the gift of giving

Not sure what gift to give? Partake in the gift that keeps on giving by donating to a local charity this Christmas.

Every Christmas, there’s always someone on your list who’s hard to buy for.

The type of person who insists they don’t need anything, or already seems to have it all. Instead of another pair of socks or a novelty mug, why not give a gift that makes a real difference?

Donating to a local charity in someone’s name is a meaningful way to celebrate the season of giving, while also supporting people in our community who need it most.

Here are a few Newcastle and Hunter- based organisations you can get behind this festive season:

HUNTER HOMELESS CONNECT

Christmas can be the hardest time of year for those without a safe place to call home. Hunter Homeless Connect provides vital support services and connections for people experiencing homelessness. Your donation could help provide meals, clothing, or access to essential resources.

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

For families with seriously ill children, being together is the most precious gift of all. Ronald McDonald House offers accommodation and support for families whose kids are receiving treatment at John Hunter Children’s Hospital. A Christmas donation helps keep families close when they need it most.

OZHARVEST

Food waste and hunger are two sides of the same coin. OzHarvest rescues good food from going to landfill and delivers it to local charities that feed people in need. Just $1 helps provide two meals. A simple yet powerful way to share the Christmas spirit.

SOUL CAFÉ

Soul Café is well known for its warm meals and open doors, offering not just food but friendship, care and hope for vulnerable people. Donations help fund community meals and support programs, reminding people they are not alone at Christmas.

JOHN HUNTER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL KIDS CLUB

A gift to the Kids Club helps fund equipment and programs for young patients.
It’s a wonderful way to give a Christmas present that brings smiles to children spending the holidays in hospital.

SLEAPY’S FOUNDATION

Sleapy’s Foundation is a Newcastle-based charity providing immediate, personalised support to people facing illness, crisis, or serious hardship. Born from lived experience, the team step in with practical help, emotional care, and community connection, especially when other services can’t. Your donation would be a true gift of compassion this festive season.

HUNTER BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

Make a direct difference in your own community this Christmas by donating to the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation. Every dollar raised stays in the Newcastle and Hunter region, providing vital care, information, and support for women, men, and their families facing a breast cancer diagnosis.

MARK HUGHES FOUNDATION

This Christmas, you can help fight brain cancer by supporting the Mark Hughes Foundation. Founded in 2014 after a personal brain cancer diagnosis, MHF raises funds for research into treatments and cures, addressing the severe underfunding of brain cancer in Australia. Your donation helps drive life-changing research and hope for patients and families affected by this devastating disease.