Flood of undies answers call

UNDIES GALORE: An often forgotten item of essential clothing in a disaster, underwear is being collected by the parish of Eastern Whanganui for distribution to flood victims.PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY 130715WCBRCFLO01

Denise Keen has been overwhelmed by underwear.

The minister from the parish of Eastern Whanganui has been collecting new pairs of underwear for flood victims, donated from throughout the Wellington Diocese which covers the lower North Island.

The novel idea was sparked when Mrs Keen saw a Seven Sharp feature on Wanganui's Koha Shed, which was distributing goods to flood victims, and heard that undies and knickers were needed.

Then Bishop of Wellington Justin Duckworth emailed asking what practical things the church could do for Wanganui.

"I was joining all the dots," Mrs Keen said. "For the people who were left with little, that was the thing they needed. It's also that people don't have washing facilities.

"So I responded to the bishop and said a practical response ... would be to donate knickers and undies, all shapes and sizes."

Hundreds of pairs of underwear have been donated as parts of church-goers' Sunday offering.

"The response has been overwhelming," she said.

The underwear will be distributed via the Koha Shed.

About 100 pairs have already been handed over, but there are hundreds more to come.