By Bray Boland, Radio Today

Bus 702 is set to be Packed this Christmas with gifts and food

Radio Station Mix106.3 is filling a bus with food and toys to deliver to families in need this Christmas, and listeners are being asked to help.

The mission, in partnership with Transport Canberra and Communities@Work, will hit the road from Monday 6 December 2021 on a two-week journey to collect items from around the region for those in need.

The Transport Canberra bus will be hard to miss with its colourful wrap that makes it look like a present on wheels – or a futuristic sleigh.

Santa and his helpers will be on board the bus to help collect donated goods from registered workplaces, retail outlets and schools every weekday over the two-week period between 9am-3pm.

The items collected by the bus will then be distributed through local charity organisation Communities@Work.

Transport Canberra’s Executive Branch Manager of Bus Operations, Ian McGlinn, said: “Many Canberrans and those in surrounding regions have been impacted by COVID-19. We want to play our part in supporting those who may be having a hard time this Christmas.

“Many people are still balancing working from home and the office, so we have partnered with Mix106.3 to make it easier for Canberrans to drop their donated gifts and food items at local collection points. We want to make sure we reach as many locations as possible over the two-week collection period.”

Mix106.3 is “delighted to be involved” says Craig Wagstaff, Canberra FM General Manager:

“Together as a team and individually, we genuinely feel an obligation to the community who so enthusiastically support us. The Mix106.3 ‘Pack the Bus’ initiative will no doubt be great fun with a highly recognisable bus out and about. But more than that, it’s an initiative that will directly benefit many local families.”

Ruth Zanker, Communities@Work, Director of Social Programs and Volunteering, says the organisation is very excited to be partnering with Mix106.3 and Transport Canberra on their 2021 Christmas Appeal.

“Last year, we had over 70 organisations join our appeal and set up Giving Trees to collect food and gift donations on our behalf. This year, with the support of Mix106.3 and Transport Canberra through their Pack the Bus initiative, we’ll be able to help hundreds more individuals and families in need. You can’t underestimate the positive impact that generosity has on someone worried about how to make ends meet or how to tell their children they won’t have a gift this Christmas. Pack the Bus is a fantastic initiative. We can’t wait to see it out on the Canberra streets!”

To get involved and register to be a pickup location for the ‘Pack the Bus’ promotion head to the Mix106.3 website

This page was last updated on 26 February 2023