For the children growing up on Fiji’s islands, life can be tough, and Christmas often passes without the excitement of gifts many take for granted.
Canterbury Bulldogs second rower and founder of the Kikau Academy, Bill Kikau, wants to change that.
This festive season, he is leading a Christmas toy drive to bring smiles, hope, and joy to orphaned and disadvantaged children across the islands.
Kikau says growing up in Fiji, he did not really expect presents at Christmas.
He says the biggest gift we could get was a good meal which was more than enough.
Kikau says the initiative, run in partnership with Kids Stuff and the Smile Academy, aims to distribute toys to children living in orphanages and other vulnerable communities.
The athlete revealed that the toy drive started after Mark Mezarani, the founder of Kids Stuff, contacted his manager to ask if he would be interested in becoming the ambassador for the initiative.
Kikau revealed that he spoke to his manager and said yes immediately, a way for him to give back to the children who need it.
Kikau emphasised that the toy drive is about more than just gifts, it is about showing these children that they are not forgotten.
