Donations boost for our charities

GRATEFUL: Hospice Tairawhiti volunteers Sharon Knowles, Carol Proudfoot, Alison Falwasser, Rae Burgess, Margaret McLennan, Katrina Browne and Margaret Nicholson enjoying a busy time thanks to huge donations and an increase in shoppers. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

A flurry of house moves in Gisborne is helping re-purpose second-hand clothes for overseas visitors, and helping local charities in the process.

Gisborne-based op-shops have reported a busy holiday period with an increase in both donations from residents and an increase in shoppers from out of town.

SPCA Gisborne op-shop volunteer Linda Cox said while there had been a few donations over the holiday, there had been “plenty” of donations just prior.

“We’ve had some really good days . . . other than the public holidays, we’ve been open.

“We’ve had really good sales with lots of customers.”

The arrival of passengers from a cruise ship, combined with visitors here for Rhythm and Vines, meant bumper crowds in the store last Saturday.

“We’ve been happy with everything over the holiday period, it has been good.”

Gisborne residents also appeared to have heard pleas earlier this week from op-shops in the Bay of Plenty, after people there overloaded volunteers with items that were either broken or in no state to be sold.

Hospice Tairawhiti op-shop assistant manager Jacqui Ritchie said that had not been an issue here.

Donations had been flooding in over the holidays, with all gratefully received.

“We’ve definitely been inundated but we never close ourselves to donations.

“People are cleaning out, moving house. We just had three loads of stuff from someone who is moving house. People have got time to clean out over the holidays, so that’s extra good for us and for the shoppers because lots of donations are coming in.”

People wanting to donate items are also reminded that Habitat for Humanity’s Gisborne ReStore closed on December 21 and reopens on January 7.