The Easter Bunny will come to everyone this Easter.

That’s the goal of a community initiative to ensure those living alone and with other life challenges receive some festive cheer this weekend.

“This is a joint initiative by Champion for Older People Group which is a mix of different organisations and services which support older people,'' Community Networks manager Kate Murray said. 

“It’s just a little bit of Easter cheer for older people that might be sitting at home on their own over Easter.”

Kate said recipients will receive a hamper of goodies including easter eggs, hot cross buns, elderberry cordial, chutney, pickles, jams, chips, a New World voucher, a homemade blanket, and information about groups that they can join if they would like to.

“We’ve got about 55 packs that are going out: All the Meals on Wheels recipients, Age Concern, Alzheimer's Society, Cancer Society, Food Bank clients, Food for Love clients, and library clients which have been referred,” Kate said.

The idea to bring some happiness to those alone this Easter was hatched by Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group’s mental wellbeing navigator Lisa Gear, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Summerdaze co-ordinator Mary Wei, the QLDC Libraries team and the Champion for Older People Group.  

In Wānaka the Champion for Older People Group has organised the creation and delivery of the hampers.

Central Otago age concern coordinator Marie Roxburgh said the lockdown has been hard on older people.

“People are struggling to get back out,” she said. 

“They’ve been isolated for so long that social isolation has just been exacerbated, it’s just awful.

“So we thought just something nice, so they know people are thinking of them even though they are home on their own. It’ll just brighten them up hopefully.”

PHOTO: Wānaka App