The people of Port Stephens celebrated Christmas and helped their local hospital raise more than $1,350 toward its first ultra-sound machine at this month’s Carols at the Bay.

On December 21 Greater Building Society Tanilba Bay branch manager Adam Butler will join Bill Brill from the local organising committee to present a cheque for $1,356 to hospital staff.

More than 2,000 people attended the carols at Fly Point, Nelson Bay on Sunday December 12.

Greater staff also helped event organisers sell glow sticks which raised $276 for the Salvation Army.
 
Mr Butler said it was the first time that the Greater has sponsored the event and is looking to make the event bigger and better next year.

The evening started with carols for the kids and a visit from Santa. The formal carols started with the sound of drums from the Marching Koalas coming over the hill behind the crowd. The band snaked through the crowd to perform a drum solo and then a rendition of Little Drummer Boy. The event ended with a fireworks display from a barge on the water.

“Carols at the Bay is one of the ways that the Greater can give back to the local community of Port Stephens where it has been operating for almost 30 years,” Mr Butler said.

This year the Greater is also again supporting the Salvation Army, Samaritans and Wesley Mission combined Hunter Community Christmas Appeal. Donations of toys and gifts can be made at any Greater branch.

The Greater has four branches in Port Stephens at Tanilba Bay, Nelson Bay, Salamander Bay and Raymond Terrace.