Anika Rameka-iti will never forget Plunket’s birthday, although she’s not likely to remember her first birthday presents.
Anika was the only baby born in Nelson on Plunket’s 106th birthday, on May 14, and as a result her parents got surprised with a goodie pack, including a car seat and savings account with sponsor BNZ.
Plunket’s community services manager, Gayle Petch, says each year Plunket arranges to give a goodie pack to the first baby in Nelson born on their birthday. “It’s a really nice way to recognise Plunket’s birthday and at the same time give something back to some local parents and their delicious new baby.”
Anika’s parents, Jared and Lauren, say they were shocked with the gifts and were happy to be a part of Plunket’s celebrations. “When we got pregnant with our first child we were in Australia and they don’t have anything like Plunket. So we were really happy to come home to have our family and get support from Plunket, I think it’s really important,” says Lauren.
Amongst the pack was a car seat donated by Plunket, a BNZ teddy bear, a $100 voucher to the Lone Star, a $100 voucher to Nelson Beauty Therapy and a backpack filled with bits and pieces from Nelson Resene. BNZ have also set up a savings account for Anika with $30 already in it. BNZ are also hosting a sausage sizzle this week to raise funds for Plunket.
Gayle says Nelson Plunket works with around 1000 families in the region each year.
