Northern charities gifted $1 billion

Volunteer Jenny Hill sorting out donated clothes in the Whangarei Red Cross store on Bank St.

Northlanders are a giving lot - just ask the region's registered charities which received more than a billion dollars in income during the past year despite the cluttered charity environment and tough economic times.

Figures from the Charities' Services revealed earnings by Northland charities topped $1 billion for the first time in 2014/15 compared with $730 million earned the previous year. Fundraising Institute said public donations were increasing, despite common sentiment.

St John recorded the highest gross earnings over the past year, raking in $83.8 million, followed by Dilworth School in Auckland which earned $56.7 million, while the Selwyn Foundation Group collected $56 million.

St John northern districts operations manager Tony Devanney said a strong awareness of the service has led to a growth in donations, particularly in the regions.

"The brand is very strong at a grassroots level, thanks to our volunteers and area committee fundraising opportunities."

Mr Devanney said bequests has been a real growth area for the charity and helped continue services, despite the increasing and aging population requiring more medical care.

A strong sense of community spirit has meant St John has kept operations at a high standard, he says.

"The community really takes ownership of its local station and is incredibly positive towards supporting St John and keeping services sustained regionally."

Another charity, Red Cross in Northland, paid tribute to its donors and nearly 500 volunteers for their generosity.

Community services' manager Nancy Kareroa-Yorke said 60 per cent of its income came from donors throughout the region who gave various amounts at different times of the year.

"The number of donors, especially in the last three to four years, has gone up and there are lots of ways people are donating to charities and we certainly welcome those initiatives," she said.

Red Cross in Northland has shops in Whangarei, Hikurangi and Dargaville and about 500 volunteers throughout the region.

Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST) general manager Vanessa Furze also said superb local support has meant operations have run smoothly.

The rescue helicopter charity celebrated its 25 year anniversary in 2014, and carried 800 people to medical facilities in the North last year.

Mrs Furze said a combination of individual and business support has amounted to a year-on-year increase in donations.

She puts this down to an increase in local awareness of the service.

"We're forever grateful to the people of Northland for their support."

The high cost of maintaining multiple aircraft means the registered charity is always in need of donations, and NEST is able to continue only with the financial help of locals and businesses.

Almost 1500 charitable organisations work across the Northland region, with education, training and research being the largest sector.