Working with Plunket to keep our Tamariki safe

Whānau Āwhina Plunket received a grant from Sunrise for $1930 which they have used to purchase 10 new car seats. The convertible car seats will last the families they will be gifted to for years, as they are suitable for babies, right up until they are four or five years old.

Norma Hooks has been a certified child restraint technician with Whānau Āwhina Plunket for the past 30 years, and says their nurses receive many referrals for whānau in need of a car seat who often don’t have extra cash to purchase one.

Servicing a vast area from Matawai to Muriwai, and up the coast to Tolaga Bay, Norma says there are many whānau in need of their assistance.

“We’re so grateful for the grant from Sunrise. That’s ten families; ten more children who possibly wouldn’t be in car seats that we’re now helping keep safe,” says Norma.

Plunket understands many families are facing financial challenges and hopes the simple gesture of giving a car seat to a family who is struggling will ease at least one worry in their lives.

“When we give the seats and install them, the looks of appreciation on their faces says it all. Honestly, they’re just so grateful,” says Norma.

Norma runs a car seat checking clinic every Monday and Wednesday between 9am – 12.30pm at the Plunket rooms, 7 Ormond Road for anyone in the community with car seat queries or who would like help with installation. Additionally, car seat events are often held throughout the year at various locations including Kaiti Mall, Elgin, Wairoa and Tolaga Bay.