Help out our kids

Sports reporter Shane Hurndell and former Hawke's Bay Today journalist Greg Taipari pictured with all the rugby boots handed in last year.

Hawke's Bay Today is repeating last year's highly successful Bring Yer Boots campaign, where more than 800 pairs of footy boots were collected for children who could not afford boots.

Once again the paper is calling on its readers to donate any footy boots to children in need this winter.

Hawke's Bay Today has teamed up with Sport Hawke's Bay again to ensure children who would not be able to play sport this winter because they do not have boots will be able to do so. This year, readers are being asked to donate running or sports shoes as well.

Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin said the campaign was a way in which the paper could help those in need.

"Last year we were able to bring joy to a number of less-fortunate children in our communities, thanks to the generosity of our readers.

"We believe this is a great way to open the way up for all children to play sport. Thanks to Sport Hawke's Bay for partnering with us in this very important venture."

Sport Hawke's Bay commercial manager Kevin Murphy said: "We saw last year the amazing impact the boot programme had on kids being able to play sport. It is fantastic that Hawke's Bay Today has again supported this initiative.

"We like the idea that good second-hand shoes can be part of it, too, this year.

"Many children can't afford to have good running shoes to enjoy quality training for their sport."

Drop-off points
•42 Tennyson St, Napier
•301 Heretaunga St East, Hastings
•76 Ruataniwha St, Waipukurau
•16 Gordon Rd, Dannevirke
•Boots and sports shoes, which should be clean, can be dropped off at the above addresses from today until the start of the second school term on Monday, April 20.