Rocky Wrappers ready to wrap

Media release: 27th November 2024

Put a bow on your Christmas shopping and support heart research

A team of Rockhampton locals who are eager to spread Christmas joy and raise money for vital heart research and are ready to wrap.

Setting up shop in Stockland Rockhampton for the 31st year, the Rockhampton Christmas Wrap—known as the ‘Rocky Wrappers’—have assembled 45 volunteers and five convenors who are set to give the gift of perfectly wrapped presents this festive season with all funds supporting vital heart research.

More than 3,000 kilometres of wrapping paper, 10,000 pre-curled ribbons and gift tags and 60 large rolls of wide sticky tape will be used for the fundraiser, with locals presenting a range of gifts be wrapped for the cause—from TVs, bikes and toys and even more unusual requests such as a frozen chicken.

Last Christmas, Rocky Wrap raised more than $24,000 for vital heart health research through the festive fundraiser, with the total reaching well in excess of $300,000 across the three decades.

Margaret Whitchurch, who has volunteered with Rocky Wrappers since its first Christmas in 1993, encouraged everyone to visit the stall which this year had a new location in front of Robin’s Kitchen and The Reject Shop.

"We know times are difficult but in giving to the Heart Foundation, you can also get your presents wrapped professionally, so it’s a win-win,” Margaret said.

“It’s in these moments where you also realise that Christmas is all about the joy of giving something; it doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive."

Heart disease is still the single biggest killer in Australia, and we make sure that every penny that is donated goes to the Heart Foundation.”

Margaret Whitchurch

Rocky Wrappers volunteer

Another long-serving volunteer, Karen Baker, said the team were excited to get into the festive season and would also wrap other presents such as birthday presents, teacher gifts, anniversary presents or something for a Secret Santa.

“Often if the cost is only a few dollars they will kindly give us a larger amount because they appreciate the effort, and they know the funds go to a worthy cause. We’ll take any donation big or small because every bit helps,” Karen said.

We have some generous sponsors again this year who have covered the cost of the wrapping papers and ribbons, which we’re grateful for.”

Karen Baker

Rocky Wrappers volunteer

Heart Foundation Queensland General Manager Sheree Hughes thanked Rockhampton residents for shopping local and utilising the Rocky Wrap service this Christmas.

"Unfortunately, coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Australia — accounting for over 18,500 deaths annually,” Ms. Hughes said.

“The Christmas season is a time for giving and a gift toward life-saving heart research can make a lasting impact on people nationwide.

“The Heart Foundation encourages Rockhampton residents to visit the Rocky Wrappers to get their gifts wrapped for a lifesaving cause this Christmas. We thank the Rocky Wrappers volunteers for their immense efforts for heart health research each year.

Fundraising and donations enables the Heart Foundation to continue the fight against heart disease. This year, the Heart Foundation committed $13.7m to heart health research, supporting 66 new innovative research projects to help prevent and treat cardiovascular disease in Australia.”

Sheree Hughes, General Manager

Heart Foundation Queensland

Large, or small, every contribution helps reduce the impact of heart disease in our community. Together, we can make heart disease history.