Call for quilts, Vanuatu

Cla14001902.JPG Group of women called Loved 4 Life, making quilts for newborns Photographer: Duncan Brown COURIER - LEADER

Fastway Couriers are assisting a select number of local initiatives to collect and transport much-needed items to be shipped to Vanuatu.

One of the initiatives is 'Quilts for Vanuatu' who are calling for New Zealanders all over the country to drop-off their spare quilts at designated retail points by Friday, 10 April 2015.

For the Waikato drop off to Bernina Sewing Centre, 91 Alexandra St Hamilton,

Fastway Couriers will collect the quilts from participating retailers and transport them, free of charge, to a final meeting point, ready for packaging and shipping.

The initiative is the brainchild of Matamata local, Caroline Mason, who recognises the value and comfort a simple quilt could provide those who have been affected by Cyclone Pam.

"Our quilts will go some way to offer comfort and protect those who have had their lives turned upside down. Winter is coming and people may now find themselves on the ground with maybe only a tarpaulin for shelter. There is currently a shortage of traditional Pandanus mats used for sleeping, therefore our quilts can be used as temporary relief to sleep on or even hung to use as a divider to provide some privacy for people sharing small spaces," says Caroline.

"Thanks to the generosity of the New Zealand Quilters, Bernina Centres and Fastway Couriers the quilts have begun to arrive, ready for the attachment of a small card written in Bislama language to be attached. The Matamata quilt group have scheduled a working bee to sew on the greeting labels to the hundreds of quilts we know are coming."

Fastway New Zealand CEO Scott Jenyns said, "We've seen the devastation facing the people of Vanuatu and, as a result, a few of our depots would like to help. Fastway Couriers is currently assisting a few initiatives by transporting items, where we can, to support this very worthy cause."

Fastway Couriers Waikato is also calling for clothing items to be dropped off at their depot. John Tatterson, Franchise Support Manager at Fastway Couriers said, "We are encouraging anyone in the local area who would like to offer clothing, to drop off their donation, marked for Vanuatu, at our depot in Waikato."

The Fastway Couriers depot will then transport the clothing to Auckland, for shipping by the Red Cross to Vanuatu.

Drop off at - Fastway Couriers Waikato, Unit 4/156 Ellis Street, Hamilton.