Even with a sniff of spring in the air there are still hundreds, if not thousands, of homes in the Bay of Plenty that are cold, damp, and challenging to live in.

That's why there has been a call for help from the BOP Healthy Homes initiative. Heaters are urgently needed – spare column/radiator heaters which are still in good working order, but are no longer being used.

Each year health providers ask BOP Healthy Homes to visit hundreds of families with children under five who have been unwell, and are struggling with respiratory conditions caused by cold and damp homes.

BOP Healthy Homes does what it can to help those families to have a warmer, drier, and healthier home. During visits, it provides advice, education, and (where needed) essentials such as heaters, blankets, curtains, carpet, insulation, children's clothing, and more.

Each year, the Tauranga Rotary club collects heaters at its Easter Book Fair. However, the need has been so great this year that the supply of heaters is running low, and Healthy Homes still has many families to visit before the end of winter.

Healthy Homes says it's a great way to use that heater that is no longer needed; let it heat a home for a family living in the cold.

Heaters can be picked up, or donors can organise where to drop them off. Help keep a family in need warm this winter.

To help, please call 022 497 2529, (07) 544 1882, or message service@so.org.nz