Forté’s aroha to the Islands

Improving lives and supporting healthy communities is at the heart of Forté’s strong friendship with Rotary International.

Rotary New Zealand is a charity focused on bringing communities together to help make a difference to those who need it. Whether they’re friends, neighbours, or community leaders, there are many Rotarians across Aotearoa doing mahi that is life-changing and meaningful.

In 2020, Forté reached out to Rotary to help New Zealand’s pacific neighbors donating medical equipment to help fill a container, which Rotary arranged to be shipped and transferred to Apia Hospital in Samoa.

Since then, Forté has continued working with Rotary New Zealand, donating uniforms and equipment including scrubs, commodes, IV pumps, and operating tables, all which Rotary has arranged to have delivered to hospitals in the Pacific.

Forté Hospital Manager Angela Ross says the Forté team is over the moon to be able to make a difference not just locally, but internationally too.

“From the beginning Forté Health wanted to be part of the wider health system, supporting the provision of healthcare across our community. We are also passionate about leaving an aroha-sized footprint on this earth, whether it’s through our net carbon zero initiative or partnering with organisations and charities who are making lives better.

“Working with Rotary was a no-brainer, and we couldn’t be happier to see high-quality equipment go to healthcare in the Pacific, improving the lives of staff and patients while repurposing and looking after the planet,” Angela says.

Neil Whiting MBE is the Deputy Director of the Rotary Club of Belfast Kaiapoi International Group and the person responsible for coordinating the donations of medical equipment and getting it shipped to where it’s needed the most. He says the relationship between Rotary and Forté couldn’t be valued any higher.

“It’s a great relationship between the Rotary Club of Belfast Kaiapoi and Forté Health to be able to dispose and make good use of their used equipment. Our clubs really support this and I’m very pleased we can do something with it. We know it makes such a difference.”

Dealing with donations from 600 scrub uniforms to three pairs of lithotomy legs, Neil’s job is to find out what hospitals need, which is something Stuart Batty, the Executive Director of Rotary New Zealand World Community Service, helps out with too.

The World Community Service is a charity that supports projects on an international level – just like this one here. Stuart says Rotary really appreciates Forté’s interest.

“It’s really good to get the type of equipment that they’re providing, especially since it’s almost like new, which speaks to our value of sending items that are of high standard. It’s incredibly helpful for the communities from the Pacific, and we know they appreciate it.”

Photo: Unloading a container of medical supplies at Apia Hospital in Samoa.