Retail round up for refuge

Three of the Waikato region's biggest retail chains have teamed up with the goal of raising $100,000 for Waikato Women's Refuge during the week of November 14.

Mitre 10, Z Energy and New World independent retailers from across the Waikato - 37 stores in total - will ask customers to round up their purchases next week.

All proceeds will go to Waikato Women's Refuge where funds will be distributed to refuges in Thames, Waitomo, Tokoroa and Hamilton.

"We are incredibly grateful to these three retail chains for coming on board to help us raise funds ahead of our very busy Christmas and New Year period," said Waikato Women's Refuge CEO Roni Albert.

"For the vulnerable women and children that we assist, Christmas is not always a happy time. And unfortunately, it is the busiest time of year for our crisis staff.

"For instance, this past Labour Day three-day weekend we assisted 86 women and their children who required help following police call-outs related to family violence. Over the upcoming holiday period, unfortunately we are likely to experience similar numbers of women and children requiring our urgent help to keep them safe."

This is the third time Terry Wilson, owner of Mitre 10 MEGA Hamilton, has participated in a rounding up campaign for Waikato Women's Refuge.

"Getting behind this great organisation is always an easy decision for us," he said.

"Any organisation whose staff work 24/7 to assist 86 women and their children over a busy weekend such as Labour Day just passed is an organisation who deserves our community's support."

The campaign runs from November 14-20.