The Whybin\TBWA band sings for a Christmas supper on behalf of Auckland City Mission

Guitars strummed, cymbals crashed and the singing was the best it could be when the Whybin\TBWA’s band took to the streets last night to ‘Busk it Forward’, but it was all for a good cause.

Singing a few well known covers, the agency band played alongside people in need on Queen Street before handing over the proceeds raised from passers-by, spreading a bit of Christmas cheer.

WATCH THE BUSK IT FORWARD VIDEO

“During the busy Christmas period we’re all rushing around picking up last minute gifts, it’s easy to forget that not everyone has that luxury, or even a place to sleep at night,” says Auckland City Missioner Dame Diane Robertson.

In October 2014 an Auckland City Mission count revealed 147 people were sleeping rough on the streets within a 3km radius of the Sky Tower.

“We’re based in the heart of Auckland City’s CBD and are part of the cultural community, this year we wanted to move away from spending money on corporate Christmas gifts and instead do something more meaningful and supportive for our local area,” says Whybin\TBWA’s Aussie expat executive creative director, Christy Peacock.

“Each year Whybin\TBWA staff donate food and presents to Auckland City Mission, this year we wanted to take it one step further. We discussed the increasing rise of people asking for help on our city streets. From there, we decided that doing something to support those in need and using the talent we have internally, was a better Christmas gift – and so ‘Busk it Forward’ was born.”

Whybin\TBWA is also calling out to all musicians to join in and carry on the gifting project nationwide and hopefully globally.

If you have a talent take the time to give back and #Buskitforward.

All direct donations to Auckland City Misison can be made HERE