Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone - Charles Schulz

Christmas is the season of giving and as usual we have our December champion who steps up with her Be An Elf charity. Be An Elf is a Brisbane based charity whose mission is to help transform lives, instill hope and build a brighter tomorrow for children in need. 

The #RUDstory is about our employees, the charities they support, the values they hold dear, and their experience of teamwork, challenges and motivation at RUD.

When you think about Be an Elf’s contribution to the community and what feels most meaningful to you?

What feels most meaningful to me is the way 'Be an Elf' restores a sense of magic, dignity, and hope for children who are going through incredibly tough times. It’s not just about giving gifts; it’s about showing a child that someone cares, that they are seen, and that their wish matters. Knowing that we can make even one child feel loved and valued on Christmas Day is what makes this charity so special to me.

How do contributions from RUD and the broader community help move the charity’s mission forward?

The contributions from RUD and the wider community help turn these Wish Letters into moments of joy. Every gift we choose and every bag we prepare becomes part of a larger effort to support children who often go without the basics. Our involvement shows that a workplace can be a force for good. When we come together, whether by picking up a Wish Letter or donating items, we are helping Be an Elf reach more families and make Christmas brighter for those who need it most.

Is there a moment or experience with the charity that has stayed with you?

Yes, there are several moments, but one in particular has stayed with me. The founder once shared a story about a child who asked Santa for a block of cheese because the family had so little. When the child received it, they cried with happiness. That story brought tears to my eyes, and it still does.

Another moment was reading a Wish Letter this year from a child who asked for a can of Aeroguard and a painting book so he could sell his artwork to help his mum pay the bills. These simple, heartfelt requests remind me how much need is right in front of us and how easily we can help lighten someone’s burden.

If there is one thing you wish more people understood about this cause, what would it be?

I wish more people understood that poverty is often hidden from view. Many children who write these wish letters are not asking for toys; they are asking for essentials like shoes, underwear, sheets or toiletries. These kids are not ungrateful or demanding; they are simply trying to make ends meet. Be an Elf gives us a window into their reality and shows how much of a difference one small act of kindness can make.

Do you have any final thoughts or a message you would like to share about the charity and the role we can all play?

My message is simple: every one of us can make Christmas magical for a child. Whether it’s choosing a Wish Letter, donating a single item or encouraging others to get involved, we all have the power to bring joy and relief to families who are doing it tough.

I am proud to spearhead Be an Elf at RUD, and I am grateful to work alongside such generous colleagues. When we come together with kindness and compassion, we help create a community where no child feels forgotten, especially at Christmas.

Interested in joining the team?

Check our current vacancies on Seek.

We are always looking for new team members in engineering, production or sales who believe that customers and culture are important. If no suitable roles are available, please click here to submit an expression of interest.

RUD Australia will be closed from Monday, 25th December, until 1st January inclusive.

For emergencies, please call our main line at 07 3809 1300, and one of our team will assist you.

Christmas/New Year Trading Hours:

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts - Janice Maeditere.

Christmas is the season of giving, and who does it better than an organisation that gives to kids? Sallyanne is very passionate during Christmas because she champions the Be An Elf charity, which proclaims its mission is to help transform lives, instil hope, and build a brighter tomorrow for children in need. 

The #RUDstory is about our employees, the charities they support, the values they hold dear, and their experience of teamwork, challenges and motivation at RUD.

How many years have you been doing the Be An Elf charity?

My family has been supporting Be An Elf for the last seven years, and RUD Australia has been on board for the last six years. RUD's involvement has become a cherished tradition. RUD's commitment to Be An Elf has been long-term, with the team consistently contributing to the cause year after year.

The team at RUD plays a significant role in fulfilling the Wish Letters, gathering donations, and ensuring that the gifts are delivered to families in need during the holiday season. Their participation has made a meaningful difference to the children and families served by BE AN ELF and the larger community. 

Can you tell us a bit more about the charity?

Certainly! Be An Elf is a community-driven charity that operates primarily during the Christmas season. It aims to help children and families in need by fulfilling their wishes and providing essential items. The charity connects local children, some of whom are dealing with homelessness or extreme poverty, with businesses, organisations, and individuals who are willing to donate.

Each year, Be An Elf collects "Wish Letters" written by children or their parents, detailing their requests for holiday gifts. These requests are often for basic necessities like shoes, bedding, clothes, or hygiene products rather than toys or luxury items. The goal is to help families who are struggling to make ends meet, especially during the festive season when the pressure to provide for children can be overwhelming.

Volunteers, including individuals and company employees (like the team at RUD Chains), read the letters, match them with donations, and assemble gift bags filled with the requested items. Volunteer Deliverers then distribute the gifts to families, ensuring they receive them before Christmas Eve.

The charity’s impact goes beyond just material support; it brings awareness to the hidden issues of poverty, domestic violence and homelessness that many Australians face, particularly those who live in marginalised communities. Be An Elf encourages people to reflect on the importance of community and the profound impact that simple acts of kindness can have. It's a powerful reminder that Christmas isn't just about celebration - it’s also about giving back and helping those who are less fortunate.

Through the initiative, Be An Elf fosters a sense of connection and compassion, reminding us all of the power of community in making the holiday season brighter for everyone, no matter their circumstances.

We have been seeing a lot of cost-of-living issues recently. Have you seen an increase in requests?

The rising cost of living has significantly increased the number of Wish Letters received by Be An Elf as more families are struggling to make ends meet. With soaring expenses for essentials such as food, rent, and utilities, many parents are left unable to afford even the simplest gifts for their children. This year, we have seen an influx of requests for necessities like school shoes, warm bedding, clothing, and basic hygiene products - items that should never feel like luxuries but have become unattainable for many.

Families who might not have sought assistance before are now reaching out due to financial pressure, and the stories in the letters reflect the hardships faced by everyday Australians. These letters give us a powerful glimpse into how the cost of living crisis is impacting children. Requests like "a can of Soap, Shampoo and Conditioner," "a proper pillow," or even "some snacks like biscuits" highlight the heartbreaking reality of what families are forced to prioritize just to get by.

How does RUD get involved in Be An Elf?   

RUD gets deeply involved in Be An Elf by mobilising its employees to help fulfil the charity's mission during the Christmas season. Here’s how they typically get involved:

1. Adopting Wish Letters: Employees at RUD volunteer to read and adopt Wish Letters from children in need. These letters often contain requests for basic necessities like clothing, bedding, shoes, or hygiene products, which are crucial for families struggling with the rising cost of living.
2. Fulfilling Wishes: After adopting the letters, the RUD team members choose items from the list and donate them, ensuring that the children's specific wishes are met. This might include purchasing and preparing items like school shoes, toys, or essential household goods.
3. Gift Wrapping and Packaging: Once the gifts are collected, RUD volunteers help organise and package the donations into gift bags. These bags are then sent to Be An Elf's headquarters for final distribution to the families.
4. Support and Awareness: Beyond physical contributions, RUD also raises awareness and encourages other employees to get involved. They help spread the word about Be An Elf and rally support from their colleagues to contribute more Wish Letters and donations.

 Do you have any additional comments?

I take great joy in leading the Be An Elf initiative and inspiring my colleagues at RUD to contribute more wish letters. It fills me with pride to work alongside such generous people, all united in making Christmas the most magical day of the year for everyone.

Interested to join the team?

Check our current vacancies on Seek.

We are always looking for people in engineering, fabrication, welding, sales or marketing who believe that customers and culture are important. If there are no suitable roles, click here to send us an expression of interest.

Lifting and turning a pump weighing several tonnes was done safely and easily with RUD ICE endless chains.

RUD lifts a massive pump in a mine.

Mining in Chile is concentrated in the Norte Grande region spanning most of the Atacama Desert. The Atacama Desert lies 60 km southeast of Calama and is known as the driest desert in the world. The biggest challenge for mining companies is the lack of water, which is vital to the mining processes for concentrating and leaching. Most mining companies extract water from aquifers located high in the Andes Mountains, while some get it pumped from the coast.

The mine that requested a solution from RUD, extracted copper and molybdenum ore from depths of 1000 mts. This mine used a pump that transported water through 144 km of pipes from the coast to the mine site.

The problem.

The pump to transport water was huge, and its size and weight over several tonnes posed several challenges during maintenance and repair work. The mining company could only use shackles rated at 40kg per shackle and the weight of the total number of shackles to raise the pump made it impossible with this option.

The solution.

Lightweight chains instead of heavy shackles.

To solve the weight problem, RUD offered a solution of using adjustable ICE endless chains with a nominal thickness of 16 mm. ICE endless chains are used to lash an object directly without lashing or lifting points. The advantage of ICE endless chains is that it can be secured and opened without tools and the chain can be adjusted in its loop diameter. The ICE endless chain can be used with an ICE multi-shortening claw to form a closed chain.

The result.

A safe solution weighing only 11 kg per chain with the overall weight reduced by 70%.

For more details on how RUD can help with your lifting requirements, please call us on 07 3809 1300 or fill out an enquiry form here.

Sources:

• https://slingandlashing.rud.com/

RUD Australia will be closed from Monday 25th December until 2nd January inclusive.

For emergencies, please call our main line on 07 3809 1300 and one of our team will help you.

Christmas/New Year Trading Hours: