Appealing for new home

BEARING UP: The blue bear is the Plunket appeal mascot; the cute factor is Aisling Marara. PICTURE: NICCI FORLONG

Plunket needs a new home. The old Campbell St heritage building no longer measures up under new earthquake ratings, so Plunket has made a temporary move to rather crowded premises in the Plunket/Karitane Family Centre in Heads Rd.
That's one reason why this year's Plunket Appeal Week, March 2-8, is so important.
The other is the work Plunket undertakes on behalf of mothers and children as the money donated goes towards local parenting courses, play groups and all the things that make Plunket a vital force in the community - and have done for more than 100 years.
None of which could take place without volunteers, says Plunket community support co-ordinator Claire Marara.
"We have got fantastic volunteers and we're hoping more will arrive around the time of appeal week," she says. "We've got people coming in on weekdays as hostesses, welcoming people ... giving up a morning a week to chat with new mums while they're waiting for their appointment."
Some are students looking to add to their CV, others are just attracted by the concept of volunteering.
Claire, who is on the branch committee as well as employed by Plunket, says a big part of her job is to recruit and retain volunteers.
"It's cyclical; almost everybody we had last year has stopped - they've either gone on to new jobs or study, or returned to work - and we have a new bunch starting this year."
Plunket Appeal Week events begin with a cake stall on Tuesday, selling from 9.30am.
Donations of baking are welcome for the cake stall, which will be outside the BNZ, or just go along and buy a piece of cake or get a selection for morning tea.
Friday is the street appeal with collectors at supermarkets, suburban shopping areas and in the Avenue. Volunteers from Collegiate School and City College Academy are helping with the appeal.
"On Friday night we'll have teddy bears going around the pubs and clubs between 5.30 and 7pm," Claire says.
"On Saturday is the big picnic at Kowhai Park; the family fun day with the train, bouncy castle, sausage sizzle and the teddy bear competition. There'll be prizes for the smallest, oldest most-colourful and most-loved teddy.
"The Splash Centre has donated prizes - swim and slide passes - for the teddy bears' picnic. We also have a raffle running through the week with prizes from Pak n Save, Mint and Z Dublin St. Tickets are available from the cake stall and the picnic. If they're all sold we'll draw it at the picnic."
Meanwhile, Plunket is looking for somewhere central for its new building, with easy and plentiful parking - or even a centrally located site on which to build.
"It's an exciting opportunity to have a building fit for purpose," Claire says. "With a lot more space we can put all the services together and have a real central hub where parents can have a one-stop shop for all their Plunket needs."