Editorial: Bring yer Boots school footwear bank back in business

The Terrace School in Waipukurau received lots of boots in the 2015 Bring yer Boots campaign. Photo File

Our Bring yer Boots campaign resonates strongly every year.

For starters, it clears the garage and prevents one tripping over yesteryear's pairs.

Second, it's a pay it forward gesture whereby boots can be used by more than just the one recipient in consecutive seasons. (Worn leather is the best leather, after all).

But moreover, as the most expensive item in a young player's kit, it's the thought that the gifting of a pair of boots could be the difference between some kids making the sports field/court this winter - or not.

Besides, kids grow so fast that the search for a new pair is an annual quest. It's why seeing the boots roll in is a heartening sight.

Each year (this is the fifth) we've been astounded at the generosity of those who donate to our boot bank. Most are in good nick, many are great and some are brand new.

Drop off points are at our newspaper's offices in Napier, Hastings, Waipukurau and Dannevirke. Those keen to donate in Wairoa can hand them in at the Wairoa Community Centre, while Sport Hawke's Bay's office at Pettigrew-Green Arena is also another site to donate.

The campaign, which we run with Sport Hawke's Bay, runs for the month of March. We'll then hand them over to Sport Hawke's Bay which will distribute them to those in need.

In our best haul in 2014 we garnered more than 800 pairs. So go on, those who have hung up your boots, tidy up your garage, bring them in and have them go another round.