12 Days Of Christmas

Give the gift of basketball this Christmas and help break down barriers one basket at a time.

NBL star and Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding has joined forces with Helping Hoops to launch the 12 Days of Chris-mas fundraising initiative, running December 1 – December 12, encouraging people to give the gift of basketball this Christmas.

Helping Hoops is an independent charity delivering free basketball programs across Melbourne to more than 1,000 young people, aged 8 – 21, of all abilities. Helping Hoops' mission is to use basketball to inspire, empower and support children and young people - breaking down barriers one basket at a time.

Children and young people engaged in Helping Hoops programs may come from migrant or refugee backgrounds, live in inner-city social housing, have an intellectual disability or special needs. Helping Hoops aims to build self-esteem, provide a sense of belonging and community, aid social cohesion, instil discipline, develop goal setting and leadership skills, and promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

The 12 Days of Chris-mas campaign, fronted by long-time Helping Hoops ambassador Chris "Kringle" Goulding, encourages people to give the gift of basketball this festive season.

In a normal year, Helping Hoops would hold free basketball programs six days a week and deliver more than 600 programs throughout the year but, of course, 2020 was different. The global pandemic meant Helping Hoops had to cease its basketball program and cancel much-needed charity fundraising.

Goulding says; "It's been a tough year for everyone, but it's been particularly tough for kids who don't get as many opportunities, even in the best of times. That's why it's important - even more important now - that we support organisations, like Helping Hoops, that help kids."

Give the gift of basketball this Christmas:

• Become a member for as little as $5 per month
• $8 = one child attends one Helping Hoops session
• $400 = one child attends one year of Helping Hoops.
Founded in 2010, 2020 marks 10 years of Helping Hoops and the 12 Days of Christmas campaign shares highlights from the decade.

Helping Hoops Executive Director Clinton Meehan says, "As we say goodbye to 2020, we also welcome the new year, the recommencement of Helping Hoops sessions and new faces attending our programs.

The demands and challenges of 2020 have only strengthened our purpose. We look forward to continuing to make a meaningful difference within the communities we serve."