Nga Tawa and Women's Refuge Whanganui team up for fundraiser

Nga Tawa students with Christmas presents for Women's Refuge Whanganui. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Nga Tawa School has formed a special relationship with Women's Refuge Whanganui.

Students have been fundraising and collecting clothes and sanitary products for Women's Refuge, as well as participating in workshops.

Eden Aschebrock from the student council said every year the students undertake service to the community, but this year they decided to establish an ongoing connection with a particular charity.

"So we put the wheels in motion to meet with Women's Refuge Whanganui."

She said refuge staff told the girls that what was most needed were sanitary items and suitable clothes for teenage girls.

"Teenage girl clothes were something we had an abundance of. Not only could we donate clothing but any designer brand clothing we gifted was able to be sold at Women's Refuge market stalls for a profit," said Eden.

Women's Refuge staff have spoken to Nga Tawa's school assembly and were responsible for introducing the Loves-Me-Not pastoral programme to Nga Tawa. Resourced by the Sophie Elliott Foundation and NZ Police, Loves-Me-Not uses a whole school approach and a one-day workshop for Year 12 students to explore healthy relationships and the sometimes-difficult subject of relationship abuse and consent.

Eden said students organised one fundraiser per term for Women's Refuge.

"We raised funds at a school mufti day at the beginning of the year. We had a wacky tie day and from that we collected three big boxes of sanitary items to donate. We delivered 20 boxes of clothing from our clothes drive, and this term our Year 9 and 10 students have been busy putting together Christmas gifts and cards to help make someone else's Christmas this year."

Eden said it was a rewarding year, and she hopes Nga Tawa and Whanganui Women's Refuge will continue to build on their relationship next year and into the future.