Humble teabag raises funds for kids

The Aramoho Women's Institute was given $10 worth of tea bags and coffee and told to grow the amount to raise funds for Kidney Kids.

They grew it to $150 toward funds to refurbish the Auckland Renal Unit where small children go for treatment.

Wanganui Federation Women's Institute president Linda Scott said she wondered how to grow the $10 start-up fund given to her by the national federation president.

And with seven institutes in the Wanganui region, she thought that a cup of tea was in order. "I started with Aramoho and am working alphabetically through the groups," Ms Scott said.

The next institute to receive $10 of tea bags and coffee will be Hunterville.

Aramoho Institute president June Swann said 18 members paid $5 entry to her Andre Rieu DVD showing, and each brought a plate with four pieces of food for a cuppa and chat.

"Those who could not come donated $5, and my husband and neighbour also donated to the event," Mrs Swann said/

Mrs Scott said the renal unit at Auckland Hospital was bleak and grey, and children who went for treatment were swallowed up by huge pieces of furniture:"It has big beds and huge chairs for adults. When you go upstairs to the cancer unit it is lovely and bright."

Every year the New Zealand Federation of Women's Institutes (NZFWI) gives $15,000 toward medical research.

Kidney Kids was chosen for the 2012-2013 year.

Interested in joining NZFWI? Contact Linda Scott, 347 9182; June Swann, 343 1622. The local institutes are at Aramoho, Hunterville, Kaitoke, Town Centre, Turakina, Waverley and Westmere.