One of best ways Hawke’s Bay people can help the Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery effort now is by donating to regional Disaster Relief Trust, Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst told BayBuzz today.

“We’ve had a huge amount of goods donated, but now more than anything we need money,” she said.

Hawke’s Bay mayors have reactivated the Disaster Relief Trust making it easy for people from anywhere in New Zealand to donate to the region’s Cyclone Gabrielle recovery effort.

Set up for the same purpose during the 2020 droughts, Hawke’s Bay’s mayors and Regional Council chair have reactivated the Trust so that people can give knowing their donations will be spent on the most urgently needed support for the people and communities who need it most.

Speaking on behalf of Mayors Alex Walker (Central Hawke’s Bay District), Sandra Hazlehurst (Hastings District), Kirsten Wise (Napier City) and Craig Little (Wairoa District), Hinewai Ormsby, Chair of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council said the region’s leaders are aware Kiwis across the motu are keen to support the relief effort and want to know how they can help.

Ormsby said as Trustees, she and mayors were working on needs-based criteria for funds distribution and as soon as funds build, they would be distributed.

People wanting to donate can do so to the Hawke’s Bay Disaster Relief Trust here.

Text donations can also be made by texting DONATE to 5569.

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