Nelson nurses sent a bit the Top of the South to their nursing colleagues during Cyclone Gabrielle
When Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the North Island this past February, Nelson Charge Nurse Managers knew they wanted to do something for their CNM colleagues in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne to show their empathy and support.
Nelson's CNMs pictured along with Corey Marshall from Stores who transported the gifts for shipping
Organisers Lynne Mercer's and Lynne Bary's first idea was to bring nurses from flood-affected areas to Nelson for a bit of respite: sun, sights, and good food. When this proved to be logistically difficult, Nelson's CNMs decided that if they couldn't bring their colleagues to Nelson, they would deliver a little of Nelson to their colleagues.
They would send gift hampers of locally made gourmet treats and pamper items to give their neighbours to the north something to smile about during a hard time.
The CNMs worked with local businesses and raised funds among themselves to gather items that would show their colleagues they were thinking of them.
They also coordinated with other departments and businesses to make this kind gesture possible. Pete Kara, Principal Advisor Emergency Management, worked with Mitre 10 for the donation of two bins to securely ship the parcels, Corey Marshall from Stores transported them to be shipped, and NZ Couriers freighted the gifts free of charge.
The CNMS in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne received them just in time for International Nurses Day and let the Nelson team know how wonderful it was to receive such a caring gift, writing:
"Ngā mihi nunui ki ā koutou mō tenei koha, kore he kupu tū atu.
The gifts were greatly appreciated and definitely gave our Clinical Nurse Managers a much-needed boast. (The coffee was loved).
Once again, please pass on our thanks and appreciation from our CNMs and whānau here."