Massage therapist lends foodbank a hand

A Wanganui massage therapist who once needed the assistance of a foodbank has found a creative way to help the organisation that helped her.

Joanne Lilburn, who runs her business, Bodyfocus Therapeutic Massage, from her Heads Rd home, is offering her clients 20 per cent off the cost of a massage if they bring along a non-perishable food item to donate to the Wanganui Foodbank.

That brings the cost of an hour-long massage on Mrs Lilburn's table to $40.

Mrs Lilburn will match each donated item.

She said she wanted to do something for the foodbank because she once needed its assistance.

"Years ago, the foodbank in Hamilton helped me out and this is one way I can give back."

Mrs Lilburn said there were many people struggling to make ends meet in Wanganui.

"People often think they can't make a difference - well, this is a way we can all help," she said.

Mrs Lilburn said her clients had taken on the promotion with enthusiasm, with most donating more than one item at a time. One client had turned up with a box of items, she said.

After just two weeks, Mrs Lilburn has collected more than 70 items of food and toiletries.

The deal will run to the end of November but Mrs Lilburn said it has proven to be so popular she hopes to offer it twice a year.

"I'm absolutely rapt at the response. People are just so generous," she said.