Ten beds boost campaign for beds for Northland children

A campaign to collect beds for Northland children in need at Christmas time has spread well into the New Year due to the generosity of locals.

Beds for Christmas is a collaboration between Habitat for Humanity Northland and Manawa Ora Healthy Homes initiative, run by Manaia Health Public Health Organisation.

Manawa Ora Healthy Homes initiative provides a range of options to help people have warm, dry and safe homes. Funding doesn't stretch to beds and bedding so the initiative calls on the community to help.

A donation of 10 beds from the Rapid Relief Team on Thursday pushed the campaign total to 40 single beds, two bunk beds and over $900 to fund more.

Each month around 30 children are identified by the Manawa Ora Healthy Home initiative as needing their own sleeping space.

Rapid Relief Team is a volunteer, not-for-profit organisation. Its teams of volunteers are mainly comprised of members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.

RRT Kerikeri Team Leader Ben Stewart said he saw a story in the Northern Advocate just before Christmas about the campaign.

He said the campaign fitted with what RRT likes to do, which is help people in their time of need and so he went about arranging the donation.

"We were over the moon to be able to help."

Health promotion manager for Manaia Health PHO Ngaire Rae said children need beds for more than just comfort.

"Children having their own sleeping spaces reduces the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as rheumatic fever. Kids need their own beds to stay well, so these donations make a big difference."

Habitat for Humanity Northland general manager Carina Dickson said they are really excited and grateful for the donation from RRT and for all the beds that people have kindly donated.

She said Manawa Ora provides them with a list of children who have been identified as needing a bed, and Habitat for Humanity deliver the bed.

Donations are welcome at any time of year. Good quality beds and bedding, or financial donations can be given to Habitat for Humanity. Bed pick-ups can be arranged in Whangārei by calling (09) 438 2250.