Piles of blankets, doonas, sheets and lots of warm winter clothes made their way to Woorabinda with Parish Pastoral Assistant Sr Cecilia Prest MFIC following an emergency charity drive conducted by Catholic Schools and Colleges in the Rockhampton Region during the final two weeks of Term 2.

Donations poured into the Catholic Education Office and had to be stored in corridors and other parts of the office until collected and transported to the members of the Woorabinda community who were doing it tough this winter.

Catholic Education Director Leesa Jeffcoat said the response to her email request to schools and staff in the Catholic Education Office asking for support for Sr Cecilia and her ministry at Woorabinda was simply amazing.

“When Sr Cecilia arrived to collect the donations, she was overwhelmed by the response,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

“We had over 50 large garbage bags full of winter bedding, clothing, footwear and supplies which was just a remarkable response in such a short period. It surpassed any previous appeal we’ve held,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

“It’s been a pretty cold winter in Woorabinda and some members of the community are in desperate need of some winter supplies. It’s very pleasing to be able to assist Sr Cecilia in the extraordinary pastoral work she does in the community in helping to make a difference in the lives of those in need,” Miss Jeffcoat said.