Keeping Families Warm This Winter

This winter, thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters and community partners, Fifeshire Foundation has been able to provide Winter Grants to 199 local families across Nelson Tasman.

Families were nominated by schools, community agencies and social workers who identified households facing significant hardship during the colder months. The grants help cover essential winter heating costs, including power and firewood, ensuring families can stay warm, healthy and safe through winter.

A significant contributor to this year's programme was Mark Tucker of JBL Forestry Contracting, whose extraordinary generosity has helped extend the reach of our support to more families than ever before.

Last year, Mark approached Fifeshire Foundation with an offer to anonymously donate wood from a forestry site he was working on. Working alongside the Richmond MenzShed, the wood was processed and delivered directly to families in need.

This year, Mark's contribution grew even larger. Through his relationships with local forestry block owners, he coordinated the donation of more than 90 tonnes of firewood. He also worked with Stuart Drummond Transport, who generously transported the wood free of charge, and a local supplier who stored the wood and provided credit towards this year's firewood supply. Together, these efforts reduced our firewood costs by approximately 40%, allowing us to support substantially more families through the Winter Grants programme.

Mark's actions have had a direct impact on families facing cold and damp housing, financial stress, health challenges and ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Just as importantly, his generosity has inspired others to contribute and demonstrates the power of communities coming together to support one another.

In recognition of his outstanding service to the community, Mark was recently awarded the Top of the South Wood Council Good Deed Award, following a nomination submitted by Fifeshire Foundation. The award acknowledges individuals whose actions make a meaningful difference to others, and Mark is a deserving recipient.

What makes this recognition even more special is Mark's humility. Throughout his involvement, he preferred to remain anonymous and sought no public acknowledgement for his efforts. His motivation has simply been to help local families through difficult times.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mark, the forestry block owners, Stuart Drummond Transport, Richmond MenzShed, our wood supplier, and everyone who contributed to making this initiative possible.

Together, we are living our motto of"locals looking out for locals", and because of that, 199 families have been able to stay warmer this winter.