Way to go, Kaitaia

Katie Murray had every confidence that Kaitaia would respond positively when she issued a plea on behalf of families who were not only in need of homes but also belongings with which to furnish them (Call for Kaitaia to share the love, Northland Age April 4). As it happened she was overwhelmed.

"I'm deeply grateful to everyone who responded so generously," she said.

"We had 15 pick-ups, people giving us beds, couches, crockery, a fridge freezer, a vacuum cleaner, linen, blankets, heaters, microwaves and much more. It's been lovely that my message was so well received. Way to go Kaitaia."

Ms Murray, chief executive of Waitomo Papakainga, said the generosity of those who had responded should not be under-estimated. In many cases they would likely have sold belongings they no longer needed to bolster their own household budgets, but had given it away to others whose need was greater. But she was keen to keep the generosity going.

"Stick our phone number (408-0900) on the fridge door so it'll remind you to give us a call when you have something you no longer need that another family would be very grateful for," she said.

"Not just furniture, although that's always needed, but even spare fruit or vegetables that you don't need. We have families in Kaitaia who really do need help, and a little bit of generosity from within their community will go a long way.