Thousands of nappies quietly donated to needy families

  • 02/09/2018
nappy
Twenty-thousand nappies have been sent to Christchurch out of 170,000 donated by Huggies this month. Photo credit: Getty

Plunket is celebrating a major milestone - providing half-a-million nappies to families in need.

The south Auckland Nappy initiative provides the essential item to low-income families.

Carolyn Mettrick from Plunket says nappies are a huge expense.

"We do know of some people who are spending money on nappies and not paying power bills, or holding off starting children on solids."

They're usually provided to needy families during regular WellChild visits.

Ms Mettrick says Plunket and Huggies are looking to extend the nappy bank to other communities, and raise its low profile.

"The only people that have really known about it are Plunket nurses and the recipients of the nappies."

Twenty-thousand nappies have been sent to Christchurch out of 170,000 donated by Huggies this month.

"We would never usually be able to afford Huggies so would have to use others that sometimes leak," one mother told NZME.

"We have had a lot of support from Plunket since having our baby girl. A few months ago they brought around books for her."

Newshub.