One resident from Launceston is showing her incredible selflessness this December by ensuring those in need can have a nice Christmas.  

Chele Perrin and her fiancée Anthony run a car detailing company, Dymond Finish, in Launceston, however this Christmas, they’re also working as the town’s very own Father Christmas.

Back in 2022, Chele decided that she wanted to help a struggling family during the Christmas period, however, wanting to make sure she really was helping someone in need, she asked the local community to nominate others who they felt really needed help.  

Speaking to the Post, Chele explained: “Instantly I received a few messages which made me realise that it would be so hard to choose and that I needed to help more than just the one family.”  

From that moment, the Dymond Finish Christmas Angels were born.  

“I started my Facebook group and set up an Amazon wish list,” Chele explained.  

“One of the families that I helped was nominated by her mum. She came to me saying that her daughter was working full time and was struggling to be able to keep her children warm. That then set me off with asking for help with fleece blankets and hot water bottles along with toys so that the children had something to unwrap on Christmas morning to hopefully take the pressure off the parents.”  

However, the idea quickly grew and soon enough, the Dymond Finish Christmas Angels were helping four families, and a total of 13 children. 

“The week before Christmas my fiancée and I went to each of the families’ houses and dropped off all their presents, Christmas-eve baskets filled with hot chocolate and a Christmas food parcel each. 

“Some of the families had no idea we were going and we were met with tears. After the overwhelming feeling of content that I had helped so many families along with other locals that so generously donated items I have made it my mission to do it again this year.”  

Chele explained that this mission is one which hits close to home, as she knows what it’s like to be struggling as a family.  

“So many people have asked me why I’m doing what I’m doing when they come in to drop off toys, and the answer is simply that I’ve been there myself. 

“My daughter’s father passed away suddenly when she was four. I was left working three jobs and struggling to make ends meet and I always wished that there was someone to help me.”  

This year, the project has been scaled up, already on her list Chele has 24 families and 67 children and is confident that this will grow between now and Christmas day.  

However, it’s not just people who have been helping this year, local businesses have also been getting involved. Bowden Derra Park have raised funds through a Christmas jumper day and carol singing.

“The support has been absolutely crazy and I could never have wished for anything better,” said Chele.  

“This year I’m not wrapping and delivering gifts, I have enlisted my daughter to help me and we have been setting up the upstairs of our unit and decorating it so that the parents of the children we are providing for can come in at set times and dates and choose a gift for their children.  

“We have toys, colouring sets, gloves and hats, teddies etc. 

“None of this would have been possible without the help of the Launceston locals.” 

To get involved, visit the Dymond Finish Christmas Angels Facebook page.