From Mangaweka to Edgecumbe with love

Every little bit helps. That's the thinking behind the kind efforts of Mangaweka's Irene Loder who rallied her local communities to help out those affected by flooding in Edgecumbe.

Almost the entire town of 1600 people was evacuated after the Rangitāiki River burst its banks in early April.

About 70 percent of homes in the town were flooded, and more than a quarter were yellow-stickered.

Many residents are now working to dry out and decontaminate homes, and some were looking to deal with their insurers, while others were deciding to forgo the town altogether.

Ms Loder said it was "a no brainer" to try and help after she saw the devastation on television.

"These are New Zealanders in trouble losing the things we all take for granted. A warm bed, warm clothing, toys..."

She got on the phone to friends who got on the phone to their friends asking for good household linens and clothing. "A marvellous collection of goods began to appear from Taihape, Utiku Ohingaiti and of course, marvellous Mangaweka."

Everything was sorted and packed at Irene's shop at 12 Broadway Mangaweka.

New Zealand Couriers collected everything packing it into the red van and took it to Edgecumbe last week.

Edgecumbe has a Flood Relief Fund, monetary donations may be made via the;
ANZ, Mayoral Relief fund. No; 010 434 033 441 104.