Dry firewood has been donated to 12 Wairarapa families in need. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Emily Ireland

Thanks to a mystery donor, 12 Wairarapa families living in cold damp homes, will make it through the winter more comfortably with donated dry firewood.

The donor gave Masterton health and wellness centre Whaiora $3000 for families enrolled in its Family Start programme to spend on home heating.

The donor, who wants to remain anonymous, made the donation with the express wish that the money be spent on home heating.

Twelve loads of dry firewood will be delivered to 12 families throughout Wairarapa, courtesy of supplier Hogster Wood.

A spokesperson for Whaiora said the centre focused on providing firewood to families who suffer from respiratory conditions.

“These families will benefit from heating their homes through clean burning practices.”

The mystery donor is the same person who provided Whaiora with donations in 2017 for fruit and vegetable boxes, children’s books, and loads of dry firewood for the Family Start families.

Family Start helps whanau who are struggling with challenges or problems that make it harder for them to care for their baby or young child.

It is an intensive home-visiting programme where staff work with whanau to support and improve children’s growth, health, learning, relationships, family circumstances, environment, and safety.

If anyone would like to know more about Whaiora’s Family Start programme, call Whaiora on 0800 494 246.