Western News: August 10, 2023

Thursday August 10 2023 3
Red Cross meals need more
wheels to meet demand
• By Briar Allen
THERE IS an urgent need
for Meals on Wheels delivery
drivers in Hornby and Halswell.
The programme, run by Red
Cross New Zealand, involves
volunteers delivering hot lunches
to people who have a disability
or ongoing health problems that
make it difficult for them to
prepare a meal for themselves.
The programme has been
running since the 1950s.
Programme co-ordinator
Janine Shepherd said the
number of deliveries has been
growing.
“There is just more of a need
in these areas, and we urgently
need more drivers to be able to
cope,” she said.
Shepherd said people come
and go within the role due to
other commitments or because
they are getting older.
“It is a constant thing to keep
getting new drivers on board.
We would like to attract some
younger people as well, like
maybe a mother with kids at
school as it is only a few hours in
the morning.”
She said people who wish
to volunteer need to have a
New Zealand driver’s licence,
a reliable car and be willing to
undergo a police check.
“The role is only Monday
to Friday from 10.45am to
1pm at the latest. You don’t
have to do it every day
and our volunteers get a
sense of satisfaction being
able to give back to the
community.”
Team leader Pip Mabin
said the programme is huge
and really important.
Pip
Mabin
“It helps people maintain their
independence and it
helps them to be able
to continue to live in
their own homes and
communities,” she
said.
Mabin said drivers
are delighted to be able
to contribute to people
maintaining their
independence.
“It is an act of
HELPING
HAND:
Meals on
Wheels is
seeking
more
delivery
drivers in
Hornby and
Halswell.
PHOTO: RED
CROSS
kindness and the drivers enjoy
the small social interactions just
as much as the meal recipients
appreciate it.”
• People who are
interested in becoming
a volunteer driver can
apply online at www.
redcross.org.nz/get help/
community-services/getmeals-on-wheels
In Brief
FEEDBACK SOUGHT ON
TRAFFIC PLAN
The city council is seeking
feedback from the community
about its plan to install traffic
lights at the Wigram and
Hayton Rds intersection to help
accommodate vehicle entry to the
Nga Puna Wai Sports Hub. The
shared path that connects The
Runway, Contrail St and Skyhawk
Rd will be extended along
Wigram Rd to the intersection.
The Southern Motorway
underpass will be upgraded and
sealed to provide an entry point to
the hub. To provide feedback go to
letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/
VOTE FOR YOUR TOP
SHOP FAVOURITES
The Hornby Top Shop People’s
Choice Awards are now open,
with round one dedicated
to dairies and convenience
stores. The awards aim to give
recognition to local businesses,
and people can vote through the
link found on the association’s
Facebook page. Voting closes on
August 13 at 5pm.
BEDDING WANTED
The Halswell Community Hub
is encouraging people to keep
donating unwanted blankets,
sheets, pillows, sleeping bags,
duvet inners and bedding to help
the Blanket Bank give bedding
to those in need this winter. They
have been experiencing high
levels of demand. Donations can
be dropped off at the hub from
Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm.
We started today very wet and anxious but you made it great by lunchtime.
It has been a traumatic time but you and your team have made it so much
easier. We have been helped all along the way and it has finished very
positive for us.
We cannot thank you enough and will sleep well tonight. We enjoyed
your staff and will try to keep in touch.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
- John -
Phone or text 027 555 7079
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cameron.bailey@harcourts.co.nz No.1 Harcourts New Zealand 2017-2022
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