Waikato equestrian community rallies for East Coast

The Waikato equestrian community is rallying to send help to Hawke’s Bay as the region grapples in the aftermath of flood devastation.

Lynley Schollum from Cambridge put up a Facebook post on Wednesday calling for donations to assist animals that survived cyclone Gabrielle. The need was illustrated by the image of a horse, which later died, trapped on the roof of a farm shed as waters receded.

Within three hours, she had $12,000 worth of necessities – including halters, ropes, medicine, sunblock, other horse gear, and pet food for other animals – ready to be delivered to the other end.

The relief packages for animals, packed in two helicopters, reached distribution centres in Napier and Hastings on Thursday morning.

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So far, Schollum had collected more than $20,000 worth of goods ready to go in the next three to four days.

“There’s a lot more to come out of there, and it is not pretty.

“People have seen their horses floating down the river, lost their buildings and barns, animals have gone, and they couldn’t do anything.

“But, the dead ones are the dead ones… and there are a lot of horses left that are damaged, floating around in fences, they’ve got cut legs and injuries, so it is really a matter of getting together urgent supplies to them.”

With the loss of horses, there had been a loss of gear, Schollum said.

“Over the next few days, the weather seems to be clearing up and they are going to have a massive problem with flies, mosquitoes and bugs. We are collecting things to protect animals from that as well.”

For the cause, Schollum partnered with Summit Grains & Saddlery, Saddlery Warehourse Cambridge, Garrards Horse & Hound Cambridge, and Te Rapa Horselands.

People from across the country are buying gift cards online which are then used to buy necessary things for animals.

“People wanted a way to do it, and they didn’t know how, so this has given them a platform to do it.”

Schollum said they were still required horse covers of all sizes, sun protection, bandages, skin treatment, gamgees, and hoof treatment.

She was also buying and collecting womens sanitary products to be sent.

“There is nothing down there, people can’t shop, there is no power supply, and female sanitary is just something we need every month.”

The next delivery was aimed to reach Gisborne too, she said.

Hamilton City Salvation Army was waiting for feedback from civil defence before dispensing help.

Corps officer Captain Lee said preparations were ongoing behind the scene, but they were waiting to know what kind of help was needed on the ground.

Meanwhile, Stuff is calling for readers to support the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in areas where a state of emergency has been declared.

The Red Cross is on the ground dealing with immediate welfare needs and supporting people’s emotional, practical and social needs. Mayoral Relief Funds help local communities support whānau, community organisations and marae after an emergency.