Gisborne doctors donate $2236 to SuperGrans Tairāwhiti during strike

Gisborne Hospital senior medical officers, who went on a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, are pictured at Heipipi/Endeavour Park with some of the food they donated, along with $2236 to SuperGrans Tairāwhiti

Gisborne Hospital senior doctors, who went on strike for 24 hours on Wednesday, have donated $2236 to SuperGrans Tairāwhiti.

A free sausage sizzle was held during the strike at Heipipi/Endeavour Park on Wednesday afternoon, and senior medical officers accepted public donations for SuperGrans Tairāwhiti.

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists donated $2000 while the public and doctors donated another $236 and food to support the SuperGrans Tairāwhiti foodbank.

Dr Alex Raines was pleased to be supporting SuperGrans Tairāwhiti.

He said Tairāwhiti was a wonderful and supportive community.

“There’s a warmth and solidarity in the community that’s very special.”

SuperGrans Tairāwhiti general manager Sarah Elliott said she was super appreciative of the donation from senior doctors, which would make a big difference to its operations, including the foodbank.

SuperGrans Tairāwhiti was invested in hauora, wellbeing and food sovereignty – or how the power of kai could be returned to communities in sustainable, mana-enhancing ways.

The organisation supported the doctors in their kaupapa of supporting the unwell and vulnerable of the community, she said.