Waikiwi Lions Club helps Southland Hospital

The Waikiwi Lions Club in September is running four community collection points to help Southland Hospital get more of its loan equipment returned so it can help future patients. 

In June, a public plea went out as the equipment department was running low on items.  

Allied Health Clinical Co-Ordinator Stacey Muir says smaller items like walking frames, shower stools and over the toilet frames need to be returned, if people no longer require them. 

While there was a great initial response from the community, Stacey says there is more loan equipment that needs to be returned. 

“It’s amazing that the Waikiwi Lions Club has stepped in to help us out,” she says. 

Club president John Warren says after a reading about the hospital’s public plea, it offered to help by creating collection points in Invercargill to make it easier for people to return loan equipment. 

“The Waikiwi Lions Club is now 55 years old and while we are all a bit older, we still have a willingness to get out and support the community as we have in the past. 

“Our approach to be allowed to use the collection sites was welcomed by all and we are grateful for the support, as we are to Kennards Hire that have given us the use of a covered trailer. 

“There is a need to get this equipment into the hands of people that need it. At the end of the day the hospital is an integral part of our community, and we are happy to offer help,” John says. 

People can drive up, drop off their items, and receive a small reward (lollypop) at the collection points from 10am to 2pm. 

The club will then transfer the items to the hospital’s loan department stores.  

Collections dates and addresses: 

• September 3: Waikiwi Vet Clinic, 299 North Rd, Invercargill. 
• September 10: ILT Stadium Southland, Surrey Parks Sports Centre, Invercargill. 
• September 17: Newfield Tavern, Regent St, Invercargill. 
• September 24: Waikiwi Vet Services South City, 102 Elles Rd, Invercargill. 

Waikiwi Lions Club members, from left, Fergus Murray (vice-president), John Warren (president) and Bill Obers are with Allied Health senior equipment officer Shane Hutchinson (far right) outside Waikiwi Vets which will be the first community collection point this Sunday to return hospital loan equipment. The club is assisting Southland Hospital to get more of its equipment returned by holding collections points each Sunday during September. Walking frames, like the one in front of Shane are in high demand.