Mamaku Volunteer Fire Brigade gets behind Christmas Appeal

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Mamaku's Volunteer Fire Brigade has collected more than 750 food items for people in need this Christmas.

Brigade volunteer Michael Pene said the collection for the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal went really well.

"We had a lot more support from people this year, I guess it's because we were a little more proactive with our promotions and things like that so they knew more about the event," Pene said.

"We had also had posters made [that advertised the collection day] by the Mamaku Primary School."

This year's appeal, run with the Rotorua Weekender and The Hits 97.5FM, is collecting non-perishable food items to help Rotorua Salvation Army foodbank.

Pene said about 10 volunteers from the Fire Brigade drove around the township for three hours on collection day.

Rotorua Salvation Army officer Ralph Overbye said somebody from the church organisation's head office went along on the day.

"It was mainly non-perishable food items donated like tinned goods and pasta, things like that," Overbye said.

"I do know that they were a very generous community, a really generous response and it will be received really gratefully."