Volunteer army mobilises for Edgecumbe

Volunteers have come together to form an army to help with Edgecumbe's clean up after last week's floods. Photo/John Borren

A volunteer army has formed and seeking extra members to help the flood-stricken town of Edgecumbe.

Te Runanga o Ngati Awa, Whakatane District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council joined forces to mobilise teams of volunteers following last week's flood event caused by the remains of Cyclone Debbie.

The Ngati Awa Volunteer Army (NAVA) was now inviting local whanau, members of the community and keen volunteers from anywhere to join the army in offering clean up assistance in Edgecumbe.

Volunteers will help remove silt and flood-damaged items from public land, and from private properties where landowners have given their consent.

Volunteers need to be at least 16 years old, physically fit and healthy enough to work for four hours on a shovel, and preferably with their own gumboots, wet weather gear and old clothing.

The army's first clean-up operation is planned for Saturday morning, weather permitting, and volunteers will be able to assist every morning from 8am to 12 noon and from 1pm to 5pm every day. Volunteers who sign up to get involved will receive emails and text messages to confirm where to go, when to meet and what to bring.

Willing volunteers will need to be able to get themselves to Te Teko to help out. All events will start with a karakia and briefing at Ruaihona Marae, and all volunteers will be invited back to the marae after their work for a meal.

Anyone who would like to register as a volunteer should visit http://volunteerhub.boprc.govt.nz or call 0800 BOP FLOOD (0800 267 356).