Our turn to help Edgecumbe out

A Whanganui couple are calling on the community to support residents in the flood-affected town of Edgecumbe.

Gail Pointon says she had a personal interest in helping when she heard that 1600 people had been evacuated in the Bay of Plenty town last Thursday.

"My sister lives there and her home was flooded.

"When I told my husband Wayne about it, he said 'Let's put the word out and do something to help the whole town."

The call went out via Facebook and there are now shipping containers with goods scheduled for transport to Edgecumbe this Saturday.

The donations will be shrink-wrapped on to pallets ready for truck and trailer transport this weekend.

"We really want to fill them both and we are asking for any household items people can spare," said Mr Pointon.

He says donations of furniture, bed linen and towels, toys, clothes, non-perishable food and pet supplies will be very welcome.

"People have already been amazing and Royal Wolf Storage have lent us the containers which Daryl James of Sharp As Linehaul has volunteered to transport to Edgecumbe."

Wanganui Auto Wreckers, Ocean View Speedway, Dave Hoskin and Hooker Pacific have got behind the project and Mrs Pointon said individuals Mike Annabel along with Darryl Taylor and family have offered generous support.

"Lots of people helped us when Whanganui was flooded in 2015, and it's great to have the chance to give back."

Mrs Pointon said Whanganui "dodged a bullet" from Mother Nature last week and the extent of the damage in Edgecumbe is still becoming apparent.

It is estimated that 70 per cent of houses in Edgecumbe have been affected by floodwaters and some may be condemned.

Donations can be delivered to Wanganui Auto Wreckers, cnr Taupo Quay and Liffiton Street from 9am until 5pm each day and until 3pm on Saturday.