Rotary women help Sallies (+video)

A group of community-minded local women has helped fill the coffers of the Rotorua Salvation Army with a generous donation of money and toiletries for other women in need.

The Inner Wheel Club of Rotorua, the women's branch of Rotary International, has donated $500 and a range of toiletries and products to the Salvation Army's women's programme after listening to a talk by a Salvation Army member about how much their services were needed in the community.

From now until December 23, in conjunction with the Rotorua Weekender and The Hits 97.5FM, the Rotorua Daily Post will be seeking non-perishable food donations and money to help the foodbank continue its good work throughout the Christmas period and into 2017.

This year alone the foodbank has helped more than 700 individuals and families with more than 1000 food parcels.

The Inner Wheel Club of Rotorua has 26 members and has been operating for 33 years.

This year, committee member Laurie Breadmore said it chose the Salvation Army as one of its charities, saying it did not know the extent of the army's work until a member recently spoke at one of the Inner Wheel Club meetings.

"Along with the cheque, we gave them a range of toiletries, the things any woman would need," Mrs Breadmore said.

"There is a great need for it in the community and we were happy to help."

The club also make silky pillows for local hospitals for women recovering from breast cancer and also make regular donations to St Chad's and Rotorua Hospice.

"With Christmas coming up, they do such a wonderful job and we were very pleased to help out," Mrs Lawry said.

The club said a lot of people would benefit from its donation and members were particularly happy they could help educate and help young mothers and their children.