Mount Gambier Marketplace has partnered with local charity organisation Each Step I Take for another year.

The charity is run by Christie Fuller who assembles and distributes Kid’s Essentials Backpacks which are care packages containing essential and comforting items for children from families in the South East community who are in need of a little extra help.

The backpacks are filled with clothing, pyjamas, underwear, toiletries, toys, books and school supplies to support local children in emergency housing, foster care and displaced children, and those from disadvantaged homes.

Donations including backpacks and required items can be dropped into the collection bin located outside Big W.

Financial donations can be made via the Each Step I Take GoFundMe Page.

Miss Fuller said the charity supported a cause close to her heart.

“I have been in a women’s refuge three times and know how it feels to have nothing,” she said.

“I am fundraising for items to fill backpacks for kids in emergency care and women’s shelters.

“My hope is to provide kids and babies in need a backpack of their own filled with essential items like toiletries, clothes, pyjamas and a teddy to help them in the first 24 hours of being in emergency care.”

Mount Gambier Marketplace marketing manager Paula Creasey has praised the Mount Gambier community for their generosity and support for Miss Fuller and her charity.

“Christie came to us with her fantastic initiative, and we are very excited to be able to get behind it and help out (again),” she said.

“We’re very big on community sustainability so taking part in community involvement activities and helping out in the areas in the community that need it is very important to us.

“It’s vital for those that can help to be able to help and it’s really just facilitating donations to the community.”