All Black supports a worthy cause

Before he heads off to Japan to further his international rugby career, Patrick Tuipulotu is asking Kiwis to help those most in need this Christmas to support I Got Your Back Pack’s (IGYBP) annual appeal.

I Got Your Back Pack is asking the local community to make a donation of essential items at their local Bunnings store until Sunday, December 19.

I Got Your Back Pack supports survivors of domestic violence with emergency care packs filled with practical and essential items.

IGYBP distributes the care packs to those who need urgent refuge under crisis circumstances and have had to leave their homes with very little (if any) personal possessions.

Tuipulotu says: ‘‘I’m really proud to be supporting I Got

Your Back Pack and Bunnings to fill as many bags as possible with essential care items.

‘‘Each bag will make a huge difference to someone who is in a really tough spot this Christmas.’’

Over a 12-month period, New Zealand Women’s Refuge provided shelter for more than 49,000 women and children (2020-2021), with these numbers anticipated to increase significantly with the additional pressures put on families this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey, June 2021, conducted by the Ministry of Justice, 241,000 people experienced family harm last year.

Chief executive and founder of I Got Your Back Pack, Anita Hinton, says, ‘‘We’re so pleased to have the support of Patrick and Bunnings this year for our annual appeal. The pandemic continues to cause more external pressures which leads to mounting stress, which unfortunately in the cases we see, leads to domestic violence.

‘‘The Bunnings team is so passionate about helping us to support people in our community who are having a really hard time. The annual appeal means we will be able to provide even more free care packs to domestic violence services, hospitals, police and social services to help New Zealanders in need’’.

Ben Camire, director, Bunnings New Zealand, says, ‘‘After another challenging year, the work Anita and her team at I Got Your Back Pack are doing is incredibly important. We are proud to support I Got Your Back Pack for another year so they can continue to help survivors of domestic violence. We want to thank them for everything they do, supporting those in need in our community.

‘‘If you are able to, we encourage our team, suppliers and customers to drop off essential items to a collection box at their local Bunnings store’’, said Camire.

IGYBP has already provided 3300 care packs this year and expects this number to increase up to 4500 care packs by the end of the year. The donations dropped off to Bunnings stores nationwide could contribute to an additional 500 care packs over the Christmas period.

I Got Your Back Pack is looking for a range of items for different types of care packs.

These include the following:

WOMEN’S CARE PACK

• Shampoo • conditioner • toothpaste • toothbrush • tampons • pads • hairbrush • toiletry bag • razor • tissues • ballpoint pen • colouring pens • plain journal • magazine • bottle of water

MEN’S CARE

PACK

• Shampoo • conditioner • toothpaste • toothbrush • comb • toiletry bag • razor set • face wash • shaving gel • moisturiser • deodorant • work socks • metal water bottle • tissues • ballpoint pen • plain journal • bottle of water

BABY CARE PACK

• Baby bath wash • disposable wipes • bib • baby blanket • baby sipper cup • socks/ booties • baby hat • toddler plate • toddler cutlery • baby hairbrush • baby toy e.g. rattle • nappies – crawler, toddler and walker

KIDS’ CARE PACK

• Toothbrush • colouring pencils or pens • activity book • colouring in book • reading book • small toy