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Community hEroEs SELWYNConnection PAGE 5

“No one can help everyone,
but everyone can help someone”
Christina Bucland
& Joy Reid

It Takes a Community Heroes. The pair have also released a fundraising

Village Hub. Watching your normally jovial child being poked cookbook - EATS in October which contains
recipes from mums who have received packs
from them, hospital staff and a whole raft of
and prodded with needles while sick in hospital
It Takes a Village Hub, nZ is a registered is one of the most harrowing experiences for any celebrity chefs and mums including the prime
charity that has helped more than 255 local mother. minster.
families over the past 12 months; not only The isolation, fear, helplessness and vulnerability The most practical way people can support
with the basics of life, but also with life skills can be overwhelming and it was this very them is to purchase a copy of their fundraising
and practical advice. experience that prompted two Christchurch cookbook – EATS from any Whitcoulls store
Originally started in December 2016 by Maria mothers to start an initiative to support others around New Zealand, or from their website
McFarlane, Jessica Roberts, Diane Hayes and going through that very situation. https://www.onemothertoanother.org.nz/
Emma Kennedy as a Pay it Forward page on cookbook/.
Facebook, they have grown to have over 17,500 In 2016, Christina Buckland and Joy Reid started
members, who regularly pay forward items providing gift bags to various children’s hospital If you would like to donate products,
and interact with one another to offer help and wards to ensure that other Mums and carers time or money email them at:
advidse. Many of these families face weekly who walked their journey felt supported and christina@onemothertoanother.org.nz
challenges to make their income spread far loved by a stranger, calling their charity “One Lastly, follow along their journey via their
enough and may not be eligible for assistance Mother to Another”.
through the government. facebook page: @fromonemother2another.
After moving to Dunsandel last year, Maria felt They now provide 170 gift bags per month
it was beneficial to have a separate Facebook to three South Island hospitals for mothers A leAky seAl
group for the Mid/South Canterbury community. unexpectedly in hospital with their sick child. costs you
This has enabled them to gather donations for In Christchurch they supply to the Neonatal money
baby and toddler bundles which are distributed Intensive care Unit and The Children’s Acute
in this area. There is a dedicated team of Assessment Unit – they also supply to Nelson
volunteers who donate their time and run the and Invercargill NICU.
groups in the background so there are no
operating costs. Each “One Mother To Another” pack contains
For more information visit their Facebook page a mixture of practical and indulgent items. The
or email info@itav.org.nz. heart of what they do, is found in a hand written
note. This is a way for Christina and Joy to tell
a Mum or Carer sitting in the hospital chair, that Looking for that special gift
they too, have walked that journey and know for an important day?
how hard it can be.
The initiative has proven so successful that Innovative floral design for all occasions
Birthday, wedding, sympathy etc.
Rock Of Ages Cleaning the pair have received accolades from the Nationwide delivery, FREE within Rolleston.
Christchurch City Council for service to the
community and now co-founder Christina Gift baskets made to order
For All Your Buckland has just been named as one of Unique gifts - Something for everyone!
Gift vouchers
Commercial Cleaning Westfield Riccarton’s local heroes. (Joy is
currently overseas on an international posting).
Builders Clean “This recognition has blown me away and is so
Oven Cleaning humbling“ she says.
Window Cleaning “We could not do what we do without the
amazing generosity of local businesses and
Contact Bruce today on volunteers”.
347 3498, 027 252 9498 “We just want to ease the burden felt by Mums Call in today to shop 35, Rolleston Square
or rockofages@xtra.co.nz and carers in what I know was such a scary time Phone: 03 347 1068
and to be recognised by our community is such info@rollestonfloristandgifts.nz
an incredible honour”.