A Havelock North volunteer group had such amazing feedback from the community wanting to help displaced families and the people doing the cyclone cleanup that they have set up the HB Cyclone Laundry Network. 

They created the FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hbcyclonelaundrynetwork/, and within 4 hours they had 60 laundry volunteers. That number is now up to 200, and washing jobs are coming in.

Co-ordinator George Miller says they were inspired by an out-of-town helper from the Wairarapa, whose sister lives in Hawke’s Bay. “He inspired everyone he met with his huge heart and tireless energy. He had been working so many days straight he ran out of clothes to wear and needed help to get some more. He didn’t know it, but it was Keef who gave us the idea for the group.”

The biggest challenge they have right now is that the guys and gals on the ground have been throwing their clothes in the bin at the end of the day rather than dealing with trying to clean them. “We need them to know that there is another (much better) option,” says George.

To start with, the existing networks like daily food delivery volunteers will be used to pick up the clothing. They will be bagged and labelled, and then the clean and dry clothes will be delivered back to localised community hubs.

Laundry volunteers will be organised based on the volume of washing they receive. 

If you want to help out, or if you, or a group or individual you know, needs help with managing muddy laundry please get in touch with the HB Cyclone Laundry Network via their Facebook page.