RED CROSS – KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE

The Red Cross Group in Martinborough has been doing some serious fundraising lately For a couple of months, a local raffle has been on sale and the last remaining tickets were sold at a Saturday ‘street stall’ a couple of weeks ago. A big thanks to everyone who bought tickets, raising about $250. The lucky winner: Isabella Walker of Greytown. Now that winter has arrived, the beautiful prize quilt will be most welcome!

The group also took part in ‘National Appeal Day’ held on May 8th which is the Red Cross’s official birthday. $280 was collected and donators were treated to a free chocolate or two to celebrate. This year had a special significance as the Red Cross is now 150 years young!

One important change for the Red Cross nationally is the taking over of the administration of the Refugee Services in NZ. This means that refugees arriving here will be helped to resettle in a new and of course invariably a very different environment.

Quite recently 94 Afghan interpreters and their families arrived to spend six weeks in the Monger centre before moving to new homes in Hamilton and Palmerston North. One way local volunteers help is by knitting! Most refugees arrive with minimal belongings. If anybody is interested in knitting or donating wool, please contact Barbara Behrent – phone 306 9226.

The Red Cross has a great website. Check it out on www.nzredcross.org.nz. The local co-ordinator is Maree Roy ph 306 9319.