Organisers of a protest march opposing any cuts in funding to the Oamaru Hospital and its health services are receiving strong support from the community.
Waitaki residents are being asked by organisers Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher and Cr Melanie Tavendale to send a clear message to the Southern District Health Board on Sunday, by turning out in their thousands for the march.
Yesterday, a group of Oamaru mothers volunteered their time to start making signs for the march.
Cr Tavendale also put the call out for others in the community to create their own signs of support to bring along.
''Let's make this message impossible to ignore.''
Since the announcement of the march was made last week, Cr Tavendale said it had been ''really, really well supported''.
Several local businesses had offered their services, providing the use of a truck and sound systems for speeches, and signs for the march, which will be led by a pipe band.
Cr Tavendale said she would like to see a strong turnout, to show the Southern District Health Board just how much the community cares about its hospital services.
''The services Oamaru Hospital deliver in this community are already limited, we need to ensure we retain this base level or build on it ...
''I hope our community comes out in force to say we will accept nothing less,'' she said.
''Hopefully, our target of 1000 people is very conservative and we get a lot more.''
Health cuts protest
The march:
• When: Sunday, July 5
• Where: Gather at 11.45am near the Farmers Market, Tyne-Wansbeck Sts corner
• Finish: Takaro Park. Speakers to include Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher, Cr Melanie Tavendale and Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean