ASHLEY Harrison was in the middle of her Christmas shopping when she was struck by the uncomfortable irony of the situation.
"Everyone I know is really stressed, we want to buy gifts and we're all busy," she said.
"But there are people I know on the Mid North Coast who aren't stressed because they need to buy presents, but because they've been evacuated, lost their homes and loved ones and don't know where they're going to spend Christmas.
"In the middle of Newcastle we're really lucky to be unaffected.
"The stress we're feeling around Christmas is more superficial and can't really compare to what the majority of the coast of NSW is going through right now."
Moved also by the stories she had heard from relatives living on the Mid North Coast, she and friend Miles Downing-Donnelly have established the Christmas Bushfire Appeal.
They are collecting donations of items and money to drive up to the region on Monday.
"We're looking for gifts such as books and children's toys, things many of us will find under the tree," she said.
"We're also looking for essentials like towels, linen, sanitary items, soap and shampoo.
"We'd like to be able to take food to relief centres so they can provide a makeshift Christmas lunch."
They will personally deliver the items to evacuation points as well as known families in need around Taree, Port Macquarie, Bonny Hills, Lake Cathie, Laurieton, Dunbogan and other surrounding areas.
Donate to the Go Fund me page here, the Facebook campaign here and find details about the Christmas Bushfire Appeal here.
