Gala day to raise funds and awareness for Whangārei's Kind Hands Respite Care Cottage

Kind Hands' Sharlene Clements said the funds will help children have access to the cottage. Photo/John Stone

A gala day has been organised in Whangārei to raise funds and awareness for children who are medically fragile or have a disability.

The Kind Hands Trust Gala Day is at William Fraser Park on April 14 from 10am to 2pm.

The gala day is raising funds for the Kind Hands Trust, which runs alongside Kind Hands Respite Care Cottage.

Sharlene Clements, who owns and runs the cottage, said the funds were important to help support children and purchase equipment.

"For me it's so that all the children can have access to Kind Hands, rather than it being about the money, to help some more to attend that currently can't afford it or can't get funding."

Clements said families can apply to the trust for subsidises or funding to help them attend, and she can also apply for funding for specialist medical equipment for the cottage.

The cottage provides early childhood education and respite care for children who have a medical condition or disability.

Clements said the gala day will feature a fire truck, police dog demonstration, arts and crafts, and food stalls.

On top of that, there will be stalls from disability organisations and services to provide information and raise awareness.

There will be also be a white elephant stall, Caro's Crazy Critters, a bake sale, raffles, bouncy castle, the Maunu School kapa haka, fire poi, the Little Ripples performing and much more.

"We're expecting a really good turnout.

"There are lots of different things for lots of different ages, we've tried to think of everything."

Clements said the cottage is caring for eight to nine children every day and the maximum is 10. Over the weekends, she can have up to five children for respite.

She is getting inquiries all the time, but she believes it is only "scratching the surface".

A silent auction of items has also been started on Facebook. It closes at midday on April 14. Search Kind Hands Respite Care Cottage Gala Day Silent Auction.