Media release: Te Puna O Te Aroha receive much needed donation (10/12/2012)

Tai Tokerau Wananga (NorthTec) and Te Hautū Kahurangi O Aotearoa (TEU - Tertiary Education Union) were proud to present Te Puna O Te Aroha Whangarei (Maori Women’s Refuge) with a donation just in time for Christmas.

The NorthTec members of the TEU were thrilled with the $1000 that they had raised during a film evening held at the Interactive Learning Centre at NorthTec’s Raumanga Campus earlier this year. “We were delighted with the number of people who attended the evening and showed their support for the Women’s Refuge,” said NorthTec Social Services Tutor and TEU’s NorthTec Women’s Representative, Maureen Frayling. “The refuge does such a wonderful job, and it’s nice to be able to support them, as they support us with our Social Services programmes.”

In addition, NorthTec staff members donated grocery and gift items to the cause. “Practical donations of basic food and grocery items are great,” said Stacey Pepene of Te Puna O Te Aroha. “We appreciate NorthTec getting behind us, as it not a comfortable kaupapa for some people.”

Christmas can be a difficult time for some families, with family violence statistics showing that the number of families affected can rise considerably over the festive season. Te Puna O Te Aroha does their best to help families over this difficult time, but can always use support like that given from NorthTec and the TEU. “Other donations such as toiletries, sunblock, hats, kid’s and women’s clothing, basic furniture items and cash are also really appreciated,” said Ms Pepene.

“Working together with community is something that is really important to NorthTec and the TEU” said TEU Te Tumu Whakarae-ā-Manga ( Branch President), Eric Stone. “Supporting members of our wider regional community with these kinds of activities is something that we hope to keep doing in the future.”

There are other ways that you can help families affected by family violence according to Ms Pepene. “Listen out for your neighbours and don’t wait for the shouting to stop before you call the Police,” she said. “Keep our children safe, and not just on Christmas day.”

ENDS

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