A container of donated goods has left Rotorua bound for flood-ravaged Fiji.
Cantabria Rest Home owner Jamie Main and her daughter, Nicky, visited Fiji after last month's floods and saw first hand their devastating effects on the Pacific Island nation.
Almost three weeks ago, The Daily Post published their appeal to Rotorua people for old or unwanted goods.
Jamie, who stayed in Fiji for weeks helping with the aid effort, said the appeal prompted an amazing response from Rotorua people.
"I was thrilled, absolutely delighted," she said.
She said organisers received goods such as clothing, toys, food and bedding from individuals while businesses also chipped in.
Cantabria sent its old hospital equipment, which would go to the badly hit Nadi Hospital. The remaining goods will be distributed to Nadi's worst-affected village, where Jamie believes they will make a huge difference.
Nicky and Cantabria nurse Tracey Parnwell plan to fly to Fiji to meet the container when it docks in about two weeks, to oversee the distribution of the goods.
"It will get to the right places," Jamie said. "I am confident of that."
Ten days after her return to New Zealand, Jamie said the situation in Fiji was ongoing. Hospitals and schools had lost their supplies and many people were homeless.
"It will take years of rebuilding and picking themselves up," she said.
Jamie plans to send another container of goods and is on the lookout for hospital equipment, linen, nappies, mattresses and canned food.
As well as the individuals, Jamie said she wanted to thank Central Pharmacy, which donated "boxes and boxes" of wet wipes, Jasco Distributing for toilet rolls and cleaning products, Gilmours for two pallets of rice and Advocate Print who printed free flyers.
The Rotorua West and Rotorua Lakes Rotary Clubs also donated $1000 each towards shipping costs.
Jamie said her Cantabria staff had all got behind the project, including Kevin Burling and Ronnie Hohepa who were drafted in to do the heavy work.
"They spent three days packing the container," Jamie said. "It was an enormous job and they are shattered."