Ahuriri Rotary is again launching its Annual Citrus Drive which runs through to September 12.
Club president Phillip Anderson said each year the club was approached by different communities with requests for donations of citrus fruit.
"Last year, we sent fruit for distribution to communities in Taupo, Christchurch and Dunedin respectively and all communities were appreciative of the generosity of the people of Hawke's Bay," he said.
Don Alexander, who has been the driving force behind the drive for many years, has this year decided to hand over the mantle to some younger members. However, he will continue to assist with this project by sharing his knowledge. He said he was sure that the efforts of members of the club along with the generosity of the people of Napier would ensure the club would be able to facilitate the supply of fresh citrus to people in those communities "for a long time to come".
The fruit is being collected now and will continue through to September 12. It will be sent to the Rotary clubs of Invercargill, Dunedin and Christchurch and possibly Taupo who will then co-ordinate the redistribution through community groups within their respective regions. In previous years, Ahuriri Rotary has offered to pick fruit, but are unable to provide that service themselves due to the advanced age of some of their membership.
