Film's message inspires help for unsung heroes of Matata

The film was a flop but the concept of Pay It Forward has struck a chord with Matata residents.

Three women from the small Bay of Plenty town sent an email to the Herald yesterday titled "Paying It Forward", a reference to the Hollywood film about a boy who has the idea of repaying a favour with good deeds to three new people.

The movie, starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and child actor Haley Joel Osment, was panned by critics when released in 2000 for being overly sentimental.

But Matata women Deborah Hofert, Lesley Wakelin and Jane Hodgson liked the message.

Their email praised local volunteer firefighters for their efforts during the devastating floods and landslides that ripped through the town last week.

The trio said the 23 fire brigade members toiled hard to help the town escape disaster and were still working long hours to get the community back on its feet. They wanted to "pay it forward" by asking the rest of New Zealand to help the firefighters.

"When the healing is done, insurance will pay those with insurance, the Government will help those without, and we will all rebuild. We would like everyone to spare a thought, though, for those unsung heroes of the Matata Volunteer Fire Brigade," they wrote.

The women asked for donations to help the fire brigade buy equipment to respond to medical emergencies.

At present, Matata residents have to wait for ambulances to come from Edgecumbe or Whakatane, half an hour's drive away.

The fire brigade needs $60,000 for the equipment, which includes a defibrillator to treat people who have stopped breathing. Some of the money would go to providing paramedic training for staff.

Mrs Hofert, who was forced to flee when floodwaters threatened her home, said the firefighters deserved assistance.

"They were our saving grace."

The brigade is made up of 17 men and six women. They finally got some time off on Wednesday and yesterday, relieved by crews from other areas.

However, fire chief Brian Dobson and his wife Bonnie, also a brigade member, continued working.

"Some of us are a little bit stubborn. We keep appearing," Mrs Dobson laughed.

Like the rest of the brigade, the couple - who have five children - worked for 20 hours without a break at the height of the May 18 disaster.

Donations can be sent to Matata Volunteer Fire Brigade, RD4, Matata.

The Pay It Forward Foundation, set up by the author of the book on which the movie is based, is on the web at the link below.

www.payitforwardfoundation.org