Wash room empty - and its not good

Many of us dream of the day Mount Washmore goes away. When all the laundry is done, neatly folded, put away and there is nothing left to wash.

What might be an unattainable fantasy for the average household has become a reality for the team at Pregnancy Help Taranaki, and they aren't happy about it at all!

"We call this the dirty room," says Gail Glockling, who works in client services at the Stratford drop in centre. She is talking about the room which is normally crammed full of donated clothing and bedding, waiting to be washed, dried and sorted before being delivered families across Taranaki.

When the Stratford Press visits, the room is empty.

"In a normal day we do four or five machine loads of laundry, but the machine hasn't been turned on this week." Lorna Hobo, administrator for Pregnancy Help Taranaki, says the lack of laundry leaves them empty handed at a time when they have a lot of demand for their services.

"The weather is still cold and damp, so warm clothes and bedding are essential for the youngest of family members."

With several sets of twins due to be born in the region over the next few months, Gail says they know they need more clothing than they have currently.

"We appreciate all donations of clothes and bedding. Please don't think something isn't good enough to donate, we wash, clean, mend items happily."

While their drop-in centre is in Stratford, they help families across the region.

"In the last financial year we have provided more than 10,000 items of clothing and bedding to people, and we don't expect the need to be any less this coming year," says Lorna.

"If we haven't got it, we can't give it out," says Gail, who is hoping the washing machine will be running again soon. "Any baby and children's clothes or bedding you have at home that you don't need, please drop it in to us or give us a call and we can arrange collecting it from you."

If you have any items to donate, they can be dropped off to Pregnancy Help, 4 Romeo Street, Stratford on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9am and 2.30pm. Alternatively, they can be dropped off at the Plunket Rooms, 14 Seyton Street, Stratford, The Stratford Press, 178 Broadway, Stratford or Averlz Maternity in New Plymouth (in the Top Town complex).