Good story for charities

Rotary Book Fair volunteer Cherie Scott checks out the offerings. Photo / Andrew Warner

A warehouse full of written treasures were on offer at the Tauranga Rotary Club's 28th Annual Easter Book Sale at the weekend.

Books of all sorts, from children's reads to works by prestigious authors were offered at the old Mount Action Centre. The three-day sale ends today .

First-time volunteer Cherie Scott said she was with a friend, a long-time Rotarian member, who was sorting the donated books last week when she offered to give a helping hand.

"I said to them, 'Do you need help?" and they said, 'Of course'."

Ms Scott was in charge of the "lay-buy book" table where people could leave their collection of books before finding more.

Rotary Club member and event organiser Ann Pritchard said funds raised would be donated to local charities and some international charities would also benefit.

"We support local programmes and we will be supporting local schools and literacy programmes."

Tauranga's Rotary Club president Richard Speed said several thousand dollars had also been raised for the Vanuatu relief fund.

"This is the main fundraising event for the year, all the funds go towards charities and causes, the majority of which are local. Some are international for emergency efforts."

Mr Speed said funding had also gone toward the upkeep of the Tauranga St John Ambulance.

Members of the public donated the books at participating service stations, and Rotary Club members then collected and sorted them over an eight-week period.

Auckland's Rotary Club and local food banks were given leftover books.

"At the end of the day we have to recycle but we give away as many as we possibly can."