The recent Rotary Club of Wānaka Book Sale (January 10-12) has raised more than $5,000 for Hāwea Flat School emergency preparations.

Funds raised will help purchase an emergency kit which includes blankets, emergency rations, a first aid kit, torches and more, Hāwea Flat School principal Tania Pringle said.

“If there is ever a time that we have to keep our students at school for longer than normal we will have the equipment or the resources we need,” Tania said.

“Worst-case scenario we have children who can’t get home or we have community members who get displaced and need somewhere. 

“The school is a community hub for that and it will be great to have some resources at our fingertips to use.”

Rotary Club of Wānaka president Mike Elliot said that the club was delighted to partner with Hāwea Flat School for the new year book sale and to know the funds raised will go to a worthwhile community cause.

He said Hāwea Flat School had applied to the local Rotary club for some funding.

“While we could not oblige at the time of the application, we were able to include the school in the sale, and they have benefited from the hard work we and they put into it.”

Tania said the school community had ten volunteers working with the local rotary club at what she described as an “incredibly well organised” event. 

“I must compliment the Rotary Club on their commitment and organisation,” she said.

The Rotary Club of Wānaka New Year Book Sale ran from January 10-12, 2023 at the Lake Wānaka Centre.

PHOTO: Supplied