Every Thursday morning in Kerikeri, a group of mostly retired locals gather to split donated firewood. But they’re not just chopping wood — they’re helping to restore sight.
Longtime member Mike Collins says the team gets as much out of the work as they give. “It’s a real team effort. We get great satisfaction from our morning’s exercise and the knowledge that our efforts are making a real contribution to the lives of others.”
But it’s not just about fundraising. The group has built a close-knit community of its own. Yvonne Hooper, another member of the Woodchoppers, shared: “Not only are we giving overseas, but we’re also caring for one another. There’s very much this community within the Woodchoppers — they’re incredibly welcoming and very inclusive. That’s what makes it so much more.”
The Kerikeri Woodchoppers are everyday Kiwis making an extraordinary difference. Their story is a testament to what’s possible when people roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. No fanfare, just action.
As Fred Hollows himself said: “When I’ve seen an opportunity, I haven’t sat down and called a committee meeting. We’ve gone and done it.” That spirit lives on in every log split and every sight restored.
Mike has a message for anyone wondering if they too could make a difference:
“Yeah, I would encourage other people to do similar things to what we’re doing with firewood. Somebody in another part of the country could think, ‘Well, yeah — why don’t we do it?’”
Inspired? Start your own fundraiser and help restore sight in the Pacific today.
The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ is a registered charitable organisation under the Charities Act 2005.
Charities Commission registration number is CC23722.
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