Dannevirke: Generous locals help cyclone-hit Vanuatu

John Kani, left, supervisor at Mr Apple, with Robinson Bannet and Dannevirke's Trish Robinson loading goods for a container to be sent to Vanuatu.

Caring Dannevirke residents have opened their hearts and their cupboards to help villagers on cyclone-hit Vanuatu.

A call by Trish Robinson and her adopted son Zackariah, 6, who has born on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu, resulted in an outpouring of support.

"It's been very humbling," Trish said. "People have just opened their hearts and given so much, it's unbelievable."

Vanuatu's Robinson Bannet, team leader at Mr Apple in Hawke's Bay with Zackariah Robinson, 6, at Dannevirke's St Joseph's School collecting goods for cyclone-hit Vanuatu.

When Cyclone Pam first hit Vanuatu, Trish asked the St Joseph's School community to help out her adopted son's family initially.

Then a call for general goods to help the islanders get back on their feet saw a room at the school overflowing with a vast array of practical items.

"We've had everything from pillows, pots and pans, lots of blankets and duvets and even a cot mattress donated," Trish said.

"People have been so generous, even donating brand new items, including fish filleting knives and a snorkel. All these things will help the people of Vanuatu get back on their feet."

Two of Trish's colleagues from Rahiri Age Care helped box up the goods and label them ready for transport in a container organised by former Dannevirke woman, Joylene Whibley, who is the Vanuatu Cyclone Pam Appeal Hawke's Bay co-ordinator.

Last week, John Kani, a supervisor at Mr Apple in Hawke's Bay arrived at St Joseph's to collect the goods to take them to Napier. Vanuatu's Robinson Bannet also made the trip to say thanks.

Robinson, from the island of Santo has worked for eight years at Mr Apple where he is a team leader and he knows all the donations will help.

"All this will make a big difference to the villagers," he told the Dannevirke News, as he loaded buckets, pegs, tarpaulins, ropes and shovels into the van for the trip back to the Hawke's Bay.

And before Robinson left Dannevirke he and Zackariah exchanged gifts.