Red Cross still helping by running a virtual appeal

• Published date: 10 March 2022
• Author: Rachel Canning
• Publication title: Taupo Weekender

But it wasn’t meant to be, and Taupō branch president of the New Zealand Red Cross, Keren Wallace, settled for fundraising for a cause dear to her heart

This month is Red Cross annual appeal month, and because of the pandemic fundraising efforts are all online this year.

“We won’t be physically taking to the streets this year,” says Keren. “Instead, we are running a virtual appeal.”

The Red Cross is first on the scene after a natural disaster, in New Zealand and overseas. In July last year, the disaster support and welfare team went to Westport to support householders who lost homes and possessions in the flood. Keren says the Red Cross provided emotional support along with practical assistance known as “psychological first aid”.

In the immediate aftermath of the devastating Tonga tsunami in January, New Zealand Red Cross provided $730,000 in blankets, tarpaulins and lanterns, and set up a team of four disaster response specialists.

Keren says when it is safe to enter Ukraine, New Zealand delegates to the Red Cross will be there to help with access to shelter, clean water, healthcare and psychosocial support.

Closer to home, the Taupō branch ran a blanket appeal for the Taupō District Council Civil Defence emergency response team. Keren says the blankets will be kept for use in the event of a local disaster such as when motorists were stranded in their cars in a snowstorm on the Napier-Taupō Rd in 2017.

Keren says many...