Bay residents are keen to help quake-affected Christchurch keep warm this winter and it's all thanks to Peter Simon.
The Matua man read about the gas heater drop-offs online and thought the Bay should help out.
The initiative is being backed by Contact Energy, which is providing 1200 filled gas bottles andhas offered to service the heaters.
Since Mr Simon set up collection points at five local schools last Thursday, he's been "blown away by people wanting to help", with some even dropping off brand-new heaters. "I just thought, we've had it easy up here but those guys haven't."
Many quake-damaged homes were draughty and cold and people were concerned for the elderly and small children, he said.
William Drury-Turnbull from the earthquake relief effort in Christchurch was grateful to Mr Simon and said residents needed all the help they could get.
About 20-30 heaters, old and new, had been collected so far, with some people coming from Whakatane and Hamilton to donate. Contact will ship the heaters to Christchurch and needs 160 heaters to fill a container, although a smaller container could be used. "If we can get 80 that will be great, obviously if we get to 160 that's even better," said Mr Simon.
A freight donation of $10 has also been requested and Mr Simon said many people without heaters had given towards freight costs.
The deadline for the freight is June 29, as the winter cold is already kicking in and distribution is planned for early July.
School drop-off points are Otumoetai College, Mount Maunganui College, Te Puke High School, Aquinas College and St Mary's Primary School. For further information, contact Peter Simon on 027 436 7213 or email peter.simon@beca.com
