Lions raise cash for chairs

More than a million dollars' worth of donations have been given to the Wairarapa district health board since 2010.

The latest contribution was from the Masterton Host Waipoua Lions Club, which donated three new wheelchairs to Wairarapa hospital.

About $1.2 million in the form of hospital equipment and services has been donated by former patients, trusts, charities, Lotto winners and anonymous donors.

Gary Pickering, club president, and former president George Norris presented the wheelchairs, worth a total of $3500, to the hospital.

"Somebody in the hospital knew that there was a need for replacement wheelchairs and because it was raised, a letter was sent to our Lions club," said Mr Pickering.

"It's something we all use, or our families use, from time to time. We could all have a need for it."

The Lions had previously been raising money for the Ronald McDonald house in Wellington and now it was time for something "a bit closer to home".

He said there was still the need for more wheelchairs but the three would make a difference.

Di Mazey, Wairarapa DHB's health and safety co-ordinator, said the health and safety advisory committee appealed to the Lions Club for help after the issue was raised at a meeting.

"There's an absolute shortage of good wheelchairs."

They were critical to hospital patients, she said.

Dave Gates, an orderly at the hospital who walks hundreds of kilometres a day transporting patients, said the new wheelchairs were easier to move and better for patients than the old wheelchairs.

Some of the old ones don't even have arms or feet holders, he said.

Sometimes the wheelchairs or parts of the wheelchairs were stolen so there was always a need for more.

The funding for the new wheelchairs came from an annual event, where Lions member host university students during their Wairarapa stay.