In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle's devastating impact on the Tairāwhiti region, Barnardos has taken action to support affected whānau through our initiative called ‘Beds and Teds’. This initiative aims to provide comfort and relief to families in need by supplying them with beds, sheets, and soft toys.

Thanks to the support of New Zealand Red Cross, Barnardos has been able to provide brand new king-single beds to tamariki, ensuring they have a comfortable place to rest.

Wendy Miller, who is the Violence Free Tairāwhiti Network Co-ordinator, based at Barnardos in Tairāwhiti, expressed her motivation behind the initiative. "The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle's on whānau in Tairāwhiti has been significant, and we wanted to do something meaningful to support them," says Wendy.

"The 'Beds and Teds' initiative not only provides a physical bed but also brings a sense of comfort and security to the children and their families. It's heartwarming to see their smiles and to know that we've made a positive difference in their lives."

One of the inspiring stories that emerged from this initiative is of 12-year-old Uli, whose bed was destroyed in the cyclone that tore through his family home. After receiving a new king-single bed through the ‘Beds and Teds’ initiative, Uli was happy to be sleeping in his own bed. "I had a good sleep and felt good when I got up," says Uli. He further explained that the bed he had been using before was incredibly lumpy, making it difficult for him to sleep comfortably.

Barnardos collaborated with the local furniture store, Fenn's, to ensure that the new beds were properly set up for the whānau, making the process stress-free.

Barnardos’ initiative brings comfort to whānau affected by Cyclone Gabrielle