<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For Sydney mum of six Ann, Christmas has always been synonymous with the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As a child her parents struggled with alcohol and drugs, and there probably wouldn't have been any presents under the tree for her and her eight siblings without the appeal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Years later, she turned to annual appeal again to make sure her own six children had something to celebrate on Christmas morning.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/british-police-say-multiple-people-were-stabbed-on-a-train-near-cambridge-and-2-individuals-arrested/0f8497e4-a984-4b4f-b94f-875fe955340d" target="_blank"><strong><span>Police give major update on horror Britain train mass stabbing</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"On one particular year, my kids wouldn't have had any Christmas  presents without the Wishing Tree Appeal," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When they opened their  gifts, a scooter and a little necklace, the joy on their faces was unforgettable."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Now she's on the other side, volunteering and giving back to families going through the same challenges she once faced this Christmas.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/kmart-christmas-wishing-tree-appeal-anthony-albanese/1411fcff-30bb-45b1-9d41-41676552db21" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Today </span><a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/kmartwishingtree/?srsltid=AfmBOorRLnLMOe-JgL8KPaDOn1Tv5A-F2lQwAhqsFulmNIei-R9ki_oE" rel="" target="" title=" Kmart launched its 38th annual Wishing Tree Appeal"><span>Kmart launched its 38th annual Wishing Tree Appeal</span></a><span> in partnership with The Salvation Army.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia's largest and longest-running gift collection drive, the appeal has collected more than 14 million gifts and millions of dollars in donations over the last four decades.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But the number of Aussie families in need of support over the holidays is only growing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than half of Aussie families are struggling with the rising cost of living this year according to Salvation Army research.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-orders-pentagon-to-prepare-for-war-in-nigeria/8f2e241e-e5bb-467d-8a4b-fa501e379026" target="_blank"><strong><span>Pentagon preparing war plans after Trump threatens nation online</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><a href="/content/2025/07/09/13/48/top-countries-which-have-seen-highest-increase-in-childcare-costs"><img alt="Top 10 countries which have seen highest % increase in childcare costs" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 636px, (min-width: 768px) 396px, 100vw" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/YaF47aTOztaTJhCmduBo2ZOUADU=/0x273:1246x973/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F411561f2-5c38-4086-a77c-227cc7c8c4f2" srcset="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/YaF47aTOztaTJhCmduBo2ZOUADU=/0x273:1246x973/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F411561f2-5c38-4086-a77c-227cc7c8c4f2 396w, https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/hPrnzf9yV0PBStf_zs9mk_kRiYI=/0x273:1246x973/636x358/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F411561f2-5c38-4086-a77c-227cc7c8c4f2 636w"/></a></div><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><div class="styles__Headline-sc-2o34ro-4 hpbOlz">Australia tops global list for all of the wrong reasons</div><div class="styles__Button-sc-2o34ro-1 eBjlmW"><a class="styles__ButtonLink-sc-2o34ro-2 hqpklJ" href="/content/2025/07/09/13/48/top-countries-which-have-seen-highest-increase-in-childcare-costs">View Gallery</a></div></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fortunately, those who can are stepping up to help.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The appeal saw a 31 per cent year-on-year increase in donations in 2024 alone, with hopes it will increase again this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley are also getting behind it, coming together to launch the appeal in Canberra today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal reflects the best of the Australian spirit – generosity, compassion and community," Albanese said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"With the support of Kmart and The Salvation Army, it's always special to see Australians coming together to make Christmas a little brighter for families doing it tough." </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/family-financial-help-heating-up-housing-market-finder-survey/ef0be735-9f2d-4a88-a7b0-31c7b642a38f" target="_blank"><strong><span>The concerning factor believed to be behind surging house prices</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ann knows all too well how difficult the holidays can be when you're "doing it tough".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She survived more than 20 years of domestic violence before escaping to a women's refuge, where she faced the confronting prospect of having to rebuild her life with six children and a stepchild in two.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It was especially hard at Christmas, when all she wanted was to see her kids smile.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Through the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, she and her family were able to unwrap gifts and make new memories that helped them start a new chapter together.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Once Ann was back on her feet, she was determined to give back and started volunteering at the Parramatta Salvation Army right away.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When I first started volunteering, I cried for days," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The Salvo's gave me  something I'd never had before, a safe place. It became a home to me." </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year she'll be handing out presents for the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal and lending an ear to Aussie families facing the same challenges she once did.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Now I know it's okay to reach out and that you're not going to be  judged," Ann said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Everyone needs a hand sometimes."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/kmartwishingtree/?srsltid=AfmBOorRLnLMOe-JgL8KPaDOn1Tv5A-F2lQwAhqsFulmNIei-R9ki_oE" rel="" target="" title="You can find out more details about how to donate here."><em><strong><span>You can find out more details about how to donate here.</span></strong></em></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Have you got a story? Contact</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>reporter Maddison Leach at</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="mailto:mleach@nine.com.au" target="_blank" title="mleach@nine.com.au"><strong><em><span>mleach@nine.com.au</span></em></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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