Media Statement
Date: Tuesday September 2
Subject: Children’s Ward Receives Generous Donation
Whangarei Hospital children’s ward resident Katie Reed has spent a fair amount of time in the ward’s playroom. This week
she, along with staff members, was thrilled with the donation of a truck-load of new wooden playroom furniture, thanks
to the generosity of a local father.
The furniture was made by the man behind Hebe Natural Children’s Furniture, Craig McInnes of Opua, who brought the haul
up to the ward on Tuesday.
The furniture comprised a circular table and chairs, miniature stools, a convertible table/play box and modular shelving
made from Leyland Cypress.
A boat builder by trade, Mr McInnes began making children’s furniture after a family member request for several items
and “it went from there”.
That was three years ago and he now supplies kindergartens and day cares as far south as Christchurch, first sampling
his creations on his three-year-old.
Of the donation he says: “It’s nice to be able to give something to the community, I get a bit of a buzz out of it.”
Play specialist Joan Livingstone says the ward team is “absolutely thrilled to pieces with the donation and the fact
that it is local.
“We are overwhelmed by (Mr McInnes’) generosity and blown away by it.”
Play specialist Karen Parker added that it “brings a bit of nature to the inside environment”.
And Katie, 10, says her hang-out, is now “very cool”.
-Ends-