Red Cross News

Neighbours Day – “The Great Plant Swap” – 14 April

Neighbours Day was a joint event with Neighbourhood Support, Red Cross, South Wairarapa District Council, and the Martinborough Community Garden.

The theme of Neighbours Day was connecting communities and offered an opportunity to visit the Martinborough Community Garden and swap a plant with a neighbour.  After a delay due to rain the Neighbours Day event took place on 14 April at the Martinborough Community Garden.  A great outcome for the volunteers was an article in the Wairarapa Mid-Week (21 April) highlighting their work in providing fresh vegies for anyone who needs them.  This produce is available for free at the Martinborough Medical Centre.  

Neighbours Day was a great opportunity to visit our local Community Garden, share a cuppa, enjoy a Hot Cross bun.  Our thanks to all at the Community Garden for hosting this event and for the work they do supporting our local community.  Thanks also to the Red Cross for the Major Raffle Prize of a First Aid kit and other bits and pieces and to Circus Theatre for the Movie Tickets.  The Prize was won by Guy Walmsley of Martinborough.

Cake Day Honours Founder

The Red Cross Cake Day was held in Martinborough on May 7, 2021.  Cake Day acknowledges the founder of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant, who was born in Switzerland on May 8, 1828. “It was great fun giving something back to our community” said Mike Armour, Coordinator of the Martinborough Red Cross Group.   “I would also like to acknowledge the support of our local members who help with baking and giving their time on Cake Day” Mike said.  

Dunant was great advocate of humanitarian causes and helping wounded soldiers.  Despite financial difficulties that led to personal poverty, the organisation he founded, Red Cross, grew to become internationally recognised as offering impartial help to anyone in need and continues to be a powerful force for good throughout the world.  Dunant was a joint recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 for his humanitarian work, along with Frédéric Passy who won the award for his lifelong work for international peace conferences, diplomacy, and arbitration.

The Red Cross continues to provide international humanitarian relief around the world.  In New Zealand this includes refugee resettlement, and international aid to alleviate poverty and provide assistance to people affected by conflict.   Further information about Henry Dunant can be found at – https://peaceprizelaureates.nobelpeacecenter.org/en/laureate/1901-henry-dunant. 

Anzac Day

In the early stages of COVID in 2020, many of us stood at our gate on Anzac Day in an act of remembrance.  This year Liz Monaghan & Mike Armour attended the Dawn Service on Anzac Day and placed a wreath on behalf of the Martinborough Red Cross.  The dawn Anzac Day was moving reminder of the tragedy of war and courage of those who fought and lost their lives so we can enjoy the freedom we have today.  We will remember them.

If you would like further information about the Martinborough Red Cross Group please contact Mike Armour at mrameh192@gmail.com. 

Photo caption : Marg Hanlon offering shoppers a piece of cake cake on Cake Day