ABC Radio Christmas Appeal a huge success

School children supported by The Smith Family are enjoying the generosity of ABC Radio Sydney listeners, as the $236,000 raised during its Christmas Appeal flows through to out-of-school educational programs run for children experiencing disadvantage.

The appeal, which ran on December 10 last year, had a target of $100,000. However, thanks to the generous support of listeners across Sydney, this target exceeded all expectations and was more than doubled! 

As The Smith Family’s General Manager for NSW, Fiona Coluccio is used to working long hours.

“A normal day consists of supporting the work that our teams do on the ground, in empowering those that are disadvantaged in their journey, and in their struggle to breakdown educational barriers to break the cycle of poverty,” Fiona said.

But nothing prepared her for the day of the ABC Christmas Appeal. Up with the birds at six o’clock in the morning, Fiona worked long into the night, providing regular updates for ABC Radio listeners. And they dug deep, donating $236,000 to support the education of Smith Family students.

After a quick morning walk, Fiona joined Simon Marnie on Breakfast just after 6:30.

Then it was almost hourly chats about how the Appeal was tracking right through the day, finishing with a recap with Sarah Macdonald just before the Evening shift finished at 10pm.
Sustained by coffee and water, Fiona pulled through, exhausted but thrilled.

“It was an extraordinary day! I was overwhelmed with the generosity of the ABC listeners, I, we could not believe it. It was inspirational and heart-warming, knowing we are not alone in our struggle to break the cycle of poverty for many disadvantaged children and young people,” Fiona said.