Gifts help women get through

Waiariki Women's Refuge manager Miriama Roberts (left), Rotorua Museum events support Tori Williams, Waiariki Women's Refuge advocate Karen Groot and Rotorua Museum events co-ordinator Kathy Nicholls surrounded with gifts.

More than 200 gifts, including 14 cakes, have been donated to the Waiariki Women's Refuge thanks to the generosity of the Rotorua community.

Rotorua Museum has been hosting its Community Christmas Tree since early December and yesterday staff dropped off 220 gifts, including the cakes donated by the Rotorua Cake Decorators Guild, to the local women's refuge.

The tree will remain on display until January 5.

Local residents can still bring their wrapped presents, along with a gift tag indicating whether it is for a boy, girl or mother and the suitable age range.

Last year, more than 500 gifts were donated.

It is the fourth year Rotorua Museum has supported Women's Refuge in this way.

Museum events co-ordinator Kathy Nicholls said it was a special time.

"I'm really proud of our community. At Christmas, people need to have something special to see them through this time."

Waiariki Women's Refuge manager Miriama Roberts said she hated seeing families in their safe house at this time of the year.

The gifts added a special touch for those under refuge care, she said.

"Domestic violence has no timing - it's not a seasonal thing. They may not have got anything over Christmas and we try to fill that void."

The children get three presents each, often allowing their mother to stretch her budget and put the money towards food for a Christmas meal.

"These presents aren't from Women's Refuge, they're given to the children by their mum - every parent wants to give their children the best," Ms Roberts said.

The facts

* Women's Refuge volunteers help a woman every six minutes on their crisis lines.

* If you need help call 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843.

* For urgent help, call 111.