About 77 per cent of Red Cross Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers have stood down during Covid-19 lockdown, due to their age. Photo / Supplied
About 77 per cent of Red Cross Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers have stood down during Covid-19 lockdown, due to their age. Photo / Supplied
Red Cross volunteers delivering vital food and supplies to the vulnerable residents of Hawke's Bay have had their car burgled while on the job.
A Hawke's Bay-based Red Cross Disaster Welfare and Support Team volunteer had their uniform, PPE and response equipment stolen after their car was broken into.
Police received a report on April 21 of a vehicle on Logan Ave, Napier, having been broken into sometime overnight the previous night.
The car had a smashed window and damage to the roof.
The uniform consists of red overalls with Red Cross Logo, Red Cross cap with logo, Orange Rescue type helmet, rope, Grey and red shirt with logo.
A New Zealand Red Cross spokeswoman said Red Cross volunteers always wear photo ID and urged the public to sight this if they are unsure whether a volunteer is genuine.
"We're extremely disappointed that this has happened, particularly to one of our hard-working volunteers and at a time when Kiwis are seeking to come together to support and look out for one another," she said.
"We want people to know how to spot a legitimate New Zealand Red Cross representative. And we do not have any active face-to-face fundraisers right now."
Red Cross humanitarian development engagement manager Audrey Tolua said the support from the Hawke's Bay community has been immense in picking up the reins. Photo / Supplied
Almost three quarters of Red Cross Meals on Wheels volunteers in Hawke's Bay have stood down since the nationwide lockdown began.
Red Cross humanitarian development engagement manager for the East Coast Audrey Tolua said 77 per cent of volunteer drivers had to stand down as they're more vulnerable to Covid-19.
However, Tolua also said the support from the Hawke's Bay community has been immense in picking up the reins.
"Due to current restrictions, our pool of over 200 Hawke's Bay Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers has been heavily impacted," she said.
"We really appreciate the overwhelming support given to us by our volunteer drivers—those who have been volunteering with us for a while, as well as those spontaneous volunteers who quickly responded to our call for more drivers three weeks ago.
"If not for them, we wouldn't be able to continue delivering this essential service aimed at providing healthy meals to vulnerable people in Napier, Hastings, Havelock North, Waipawa and Waipukurau."
Within the Hawke's Bay region, Red Cross Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver an average of 500 meals a day.
Tolua said these drivers are the true heroes during the global pandemic.
"I absolutely endorse our Meals on Wheels drivers as lockdown heroes," she said.
"Aside from delivering healthy meals to people who need them, they also help to brighten up the day of vulnerable people who may be feeling isolated during these uncertain times.
"We know that many of those we deliver meals to not only look forward to a hot meal, but also to seeing our friendly volunteers.
"For some this might be the only social interaction they have throughout their day."
Tolua described the frontline Meals on Wheels drivers "lockdown heroes". Photo / Supplied
At the start of the alert level 4 lockdown, New Zealand Red Cross general manager humanitarian development Shaun Greaves said their volunteers would be allowed to continue with the service, while adhering to the government guidelines.
"We know that people may be feeling particularly isolated at this time. That's why our volunteers may check-in with meal recipients, if they feel safe and comfortable to do so," he said.
"We are asking though, that they keep a minimum distance of 2 metres and must not enter the house at any point."
