Invercargill kids in need are being delighted with literary goodness this Christmas. 

More than 800 books have been donated by Invercargill businesses, schools, pre-schools and generous individuals so local children, who have a little less at this time of year, can enjoy a brand-new, exciting book with their families this Christmas. 

The book drive in Invercargill was a part of an initiative called Kiwi Christmas Books, which aims to supply books to kids in need all over the country. 

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Pam Wilson and Barbara Jones co-ordinated the Kiwi Christmas Book drive in Invercargill. 

Ms Wilson said this was the first time that Invercargill had been a part of the initiative, but already Invercargill was the city to donate the second largest number of books after Auckland, where 3000 were donated. 

She said the amazing success in Invercargill showed how strong the giving spirit was in the deep south. 

“We thought if we’d got 500 books we’d be blown away, but to get 800 was really special,” she said. 

The donated books are for all ages, from little children up to young adults. 

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They were dropped off at Young Reflections in Invercargill, which then donated the books to Family Works Southland and the Murihiku Young Parents Centre. 

650 books were donated to Family works Southland, and its social workers and family whanau workers have been busy delivering them to the families that they look after in the region.  

Family Works Southland foster care co-ordinator Nicola Bode said the new books had been making a world of difference to the families and kids in Invercargill. 

She said normally the kids were used to getting hand-me-downs or leftovers at this time of year, but by receiving the brand-new books they could “keep up with their peers” now, which was really special, she said. 

Family Works Southland supports 1115 families in the region. 

Presbyterian Support Southland marketing and communications manager Courtney Forde said the number of books the organisation received was “overwhelming”.

Family Works is an initiative of Presbyterian Support Southland. 

Ms Forde said the difference the books would make to the kids was significant, as by giving the children books, it meant that the parents would be spending time reading to the younger ones. 

Ms Forde and Ms Wilson thanked the supporters, which included: James Hargest College, Kindergartens South, SBS bank, Quiffs Hair Salon, Environment Southland, South Roads, Downers, Highways South, the Ministry of Education, HWR Group, Otatara School and the Southland Herb Society and generous individuals for their donations.