Delivering the goods collected from a Dunedin Hospital donation drive for aid in Tonga are (front row, from left) organiser Kym Makanesi, her children Taufa (15) and Tiare (19) Makanesi, (back row, from left) Dunedin Tonga relief committee member Ana Tu’i, Dunedin Tonga Relief lead co-ordinator Finau Taungapeau, Southern District Health Board chief Maori health officer Gilbert Taurua and Southern District Health Board chief executive Chris Fleming.
Mrs Makanesi said the donation drive had blown up "in a good way".
Throughout the course of the week the collection point accepted enough food and essential items to fill 35 banana boxes, and cash donations totalled over $1600.
Individual wards had taken up collections to contribute to the larger effort, and Mrs Makanesi said she was still receiving late donations yesterday.
When she had the idea for the collection, she did not realise how successful it would be.
"It’s just amazing, I’m still overwhelmed with everybody giving and supporting.
"But it will be an absolute relief just to hand everything over to them tonight."
The committee is still accepting donations.
