West Coast legends Glen Jakovich and Ross Glendinning were on hand this morning to help launch Mission Australia’s Christmas Lunch in the Park with a celebrity gift-wrapping session.

In their lesser-known roles as Christmas elves, Jako and Rosco wielded scissors and tape dispensers with the same prowess that made them household names on the football field, wrapping dozens of presents to be handed out at Mission Australia’s 36th lunch for families and individuals in need on Christmas day.

Glendinning revealed that despite the fact he had been training for the gift-wrapping session since pre-season 1987, he hadn’t been promoted past rookie level.

“I’m still an apprentice,” the club’s inaugural captain said. “Given that I’m actually on debut for this event, I’ve been shuffled to the end of the table which is disappointing. They’ve noted that some of my efforts have been a bit shoddy.

“I’ve wrapped a small toy vacuum cleaner so far, and some face-washers. I’m trying to pick something easy next.

“My partner in crime, Jako, he had trouble making his cup of tea, let alone wrapping a present. He got a bit confused and only wrapped one side of the present, so I think he’s going to move to the back of the room to just hide.”

The former Eagles were joined by the likes of Today Tonight’s Monika Kos and Steve Mills from 6PR, and Glendinning said he was proud to team up with the Perthonalities to help support such a worthy cause.

“When you think that there’s 4000-odd gifts to wrap, and this is the 36th year, it’s just unbelievable,” Glendinning said. “On the day itself, to see the smiles on the kids’ faces is really what it’s all about.

“It’s fantastic to see everyone down here today to help with the wrapping. Of course, the wonderful effort that Mission Australia does put in to arrange this particular event and also supported by BHP and Bankwest, so without that sort of support it just doesn’t eventuate or continue, so well done to everyone.”

All guests at Mission Australia’s Christmas Lunch in the Park receive a traditional Christmas lunch and a gift from Santa, and will have the chance to enjoy free entertainment like finger-painting, face-painting and choir performances.

For further information, visit http://www.missionpromotion.com/clip.