Watch NZH Local Focus: Toys for Edgecumbe

When the people of Edgecumbe were forced to flee their homes - most didn't have time gather up their most precious possessions.

Some are now starting again from scratch - and that includes getting new toys for their children.

Bronwyn Elton says she felt that "a lot of people just lost everything and I just wanted to help".

So that's what she did - by initiating a toy collection at EduKids in Taradale.

"I've got kids and they just have too many toys and I thought if I could get a couple of people together to get some toys to maybe give to the kids so they've got something to play with, maybe take their minds off things."

Word of the toy collection spread like wildfire on social media.

Family after family turned out to donate their pre-loved goods.

EduKids Taradale was where the toy collection drop-off point was.

Centre Manager Linda Rochfort says: "In our busy lives we just go on with our own thing and we all knew what went on in Edgecumbe, but it just OK one of our lovely parents to come in and go, hey how about we do this."

But Mrs Rochfort says there is more to toys than just having fun.

"I think where toys can take children is into a world of imagination, so children need to play and when they're in that world they're totally stress-less so they can just be themselves, just have a sense of security around them and just play."

Not only will the toys bring joy to the children in Edgecumbe, but the children in Hawke's Bay giving them have learnt a lesson, too.

Mrs Elton says the exercise has benefited her almost-four-year-old.

"[It] just gets her involved and wanting her to pass things on and realise that she can share and help out other people, it's been a really positive experience for her."

The toys will be delivered to the Whakatane Salvation Army, who will hand them out, and hopefully, brighten another child's day.

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